The Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises residents to be prepared for unpredictable spring weather and to be cautious of dishonest contractors, particularly during Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Illinois (March 4-8, 2024.)
Spring often brings a mix of winter and spring weather, including storms with flooding, tornados, lightning, and high winds.
“Whenever spring storms hit, storm-chasing scammers will soon follow, preying on homeowners’ emotions in their times of need and repairs,” says Dennis Horton, director of the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau. “As a part of your storm planning, along with emergency kits, it’s always wise to create a contact list of trusted contractors in case you need emergency repairs. You can go to the Better Business Bureau to find contractors you can trust."
BBB urges consumers to not engage with unsolicited contractors approaching you by phone or door-to-door.
Instead, homeowners should research companies thoroughly before signing any contracts as well as verify licensing and insurance.
Be wary of high-pressure sales tactics and requests for upfront payments.
Never sign over insurance checks to contractors. Pay directly after work is completed.
“Safety and shelter are the most important aspects of storm preparedness,� says Horton, “but when the skies clear, revealing post-storm damage, that creates a perfect opportunity for substandard contractors to catch people off-guard. These storm chasers swoop into affected areas and play on distraught victims� shock and emotion. For example, you would want to resolve roof damage immediately. People are much more vulnerable dealing with this devastation than they would be under normal circumstances.�
While unethical repair practices can unfortunately increase after damaging weather events, these issues can also occur at any time throughout the year.
It's important to be aware of this, as home improvement scams ranked #5 in the BBB's Top Local Scams of 2023.
For more information, the National Weather Service offers the following online resources:
- prepares the public for hazardous weather year-round
- provides resources and information for common seasonal weather hazards
- The  compiled by the National Weather Service provides facts and tips
In addition, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency's website provides more information on disasters, helpful resources, and school safety.
The BBB encourages anyone who encounters a scam to report it, regardless of financial loss. Report scams at .
