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Natural Disasters Bring Out The Worst In Some People Flood Victims, Honest Donors Ripe For Scams, Fake Charities

By Alison Boggs alisonb@spokesman.com(509) 459-5314

Flood victims, beware. There could be sharks in the water.

As the water recedes and cleanup continues throughout the Inland Northwest, people whose homes and belongings are ravaged could be victimized again.

A variety of scams almost always follows natural disasters, say Better Business Bureau officials. Hastily organized businesses or people from out of state looking to make a quick buck offer disaster victims good deals on everything from landscaping to car repair to upholstery work.

They’ll take your money and be gone before you know it.

“There are folks that travel from disaster to disaster,” said Juanda Krebs, director of the Central Washington BBB, which serves nine counties from Asotin to Chelan.

Scams have popped up everywhere, from Florida’s hurricane-ravaged coast to Los Angeles’ earthquake-damaged streets.

People who aren’t disaster victims but are trying to help by donating money or goods also can be taken by con artists who set up fake charities and solicit funds.

Mary Kruger Eyler is director of the Better Business Bureau in Des Moines, Iowa. She remembers a telemarketing company that sold “Flood Disaster Kits” for between $400 and $600 after the summer floods of 1993.

People who sent money received a box in the mail containing a blanket, a flashlight and a gallon of water. When consumers called to complain, the “business” was gone, Kruger Eyler said.

Catching the perpetrators is difficult, said Lisa Stephens, president of the BBB of the Inland Northwest, which covers most of Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

“By the time one person reports being victimized, tons of people have been victimized, and they’re gone,” Stephens said. “Obviously there’s a lot of money to be made because people get in a hurry. They want to get their homes back to normal.”

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: AVOID SCAMS The BBB offers these tips to help people avoid being scammed: Don’t act in haste. Don’t be pressured into signing a long-term contract. Make temporary repairs if necessary. Take time to shop around for a contractor. Check references and obtain a report on the business from the BBB. Be wary of door-to-door workers who say your home is unsafe. Have an engineer, architect or building official inspect it instead. Beware of people soliciting work in unmarked trucks and requiring advance payment. Con artists might tell you the price is a special, or good for only one day. Prepare a written agreement with anyone you hire, listing work to be done, materials to be used, and a price breakdown. Never pay for all repairs in advance and don’t pay cash. Remember that flood-soaked carpets can be saved but must be professionally sanitized at the cleaning firm’s plant. Any furniture that has been submerged will need to be re-upholstered or refinished. When shopping for a used car, check for flood damage. Thoroughly clean out mud and residue from heating and cooling units and let them dry before determining whether the equipment works or needs repairs. In Washington, check with local or state authorities to ensure a contractor is properly licensed and bonded. In Idaho, licensing and bonding is not required. For questions, call the Better Business Bureau at 325-3366 or (800) 248-2356.

This sidebar appeared with the story: AVOID SCAMS The BBB offers these tips to help people avoid being scammed: Don’t act in haste. Don’t be pressured into signing a long-term contract. Make temporary repairs if necessary. Take time to shop around for a contractor. Check references and obtain a report on the business from the BBB. Be wary of door-to-door workers who say your home is unsafe. Have an engineer, architect or building official inspect it instead. Beware of people soliciting work in unmarked trucks and requiring advance payment. Con artists might tell you the price is a special, or good for only one day. Prepare a written agreement with anyone you hire, listing work to be done, materials to be used, and a price breakdown. Never pay for all repairs in advance and don’t pay cash. Remember that flood-soaked carpets can be saved but must be professionally sanitized at the cleaning firm’s plant. Any furniture that has been submerged will need to be re-upholstered or refinished. When shopping for a used car, check for flood damage. Thoroughly clean out mud and residue from heating and cooling units and let them dry before determining whether the equipment works or needs repairs. In Washington, check with local or state authorities to ensure a contractor is properly licensed and bonded. In Idaho, licensing and bonding is not required. For questions, call the Better Business Bureau at 325-3366 or (800) 248-2356.