The Better Business Bureau warns victims of hurricane Ike to not let disaster strike twice. It is an unfortunate truth that unscrupulous individuals who follow in the wake of disaster will take advantage of today’s desperate victims and be gone tomorrow.

The BBB urges potential donors to ask questions about the charity’s purpose, programs, and finances, and ask for literature that describes what relief activities are planned.

Immediately after damage occurs, homeowners should check with their insurance company about policy coverage and specific claim filing requirements.

Homeowners should take whatever action is necessary to protect their property from further damage as is required by their insurance company before dealing with unknown contractors going door-to-door in damage areas. Work done by such individuals is usually shoddy and expensive.

Unscrupulous auto dealers may make a profit after hurricanes by selling automobiles with water damage. Shoppers should look under the dash and in the glove compartment for signs of flooding. In many cases, a well-defined line will indicate how high the water rose and the scent of mildew may be present.

Victims needing moving and storage services should ask if the cost of the move is based on the time it takes to move, the weight, or the amount of goods. It is important that victims obtain several bids and ask for a binding estimate. Before moving, homeowners should get rid of unwanted items. They also need specifics concerning terms, conditions, security and price in writing if they plan on storing their belongings.

Victims also may need the services of a pest control/exterminating company to rid the house of unwanted pests and insects. If so, it is important to make sure the treatment used will remedy the problem.

Homeowners may need to use clean up services, but they need to be certain that the company is qualified to handle specialized cleaning of items such as electronics, upholstery, and pictures.

Homeowners must carefully read and understand any contract and not sign a completion form until they are totally satisfied with the job. They should always request and check customer references.

If a company is offering a guarantee, homeowners should verify how long the firm has been established. A guarantee is only as good as the firm that backs it up.

Cleanup

When seeking the services of a cleaning and restoration firm, the BBB urges consumers to keep the following in mind:

Water-soaked carpeting can be saved while carpet padding needs to be thrown away. Soaked carpet needs to be professionally sanitized at the cleaning firm’s facilities. This ensures that disease-causing bacteria are eliminated. Floors and walls also need to be sanitized thoroughly.

The BBB offers the following tips for selecting a restoration firm:

•The restoration contract should include a description of all the work to be performed, including the quality of materials to be used.

•Hurricane victims should not make decisions they are uncomfortable with or be pushed into making a decision.

•Victims should save all receipts, including those for food and temporary lodging that are covered under their insurance policy.

•Contracts should include a price break-down for both labor and materials.

•Any promises made orally should be written into the contract, including any warranties on materials or labor.

•References at least a year old should be requested. It may seem impossible to travel to an unaffected area to inspect references after a disaster, but remember the time spent will be minor in comparison to the possibility of living with inferior repair work for years.

•Review all documentation before any payments are made and before signing the dotted line.

Moving & Storage

Many hurricane victims will either need to move back into their homes or transfer their belongings to storage while repairs are being made.  The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to use caution when choosing a moving and storage company after a natural disaster.

Consumers should ask moving companies for customer references and estimates prior to choosing one. Many companies now offer binding estimates or guaranteed prices. If you do not obtain a binding estimate, there is no guarantee that the final cost will equal the estimate.

The movers should be shown everything that needs to be moved, including items in the garage and attic, as well as lawn furniture and playground equipment when requesting an estimate. Residents should read and understand any contract before signing or making payments. The mover should put all verbal promises in writing, including costs and moving time and date.

A Certificate of Insurance should be shown by the mover as proof of liability and worker’s compensation insurance.  Consumers should also ask about the mover’s liability for belongings and the claims policy in the event of loss or damage. Typically valuable items such as jewelry, documents and collectables are not covered by the moving company, so residents should move these items personally. Moving companies should also be licensed according to the type of move (interstate or intrastate).

Hurricane victims should be sure to get rid of unwanted items before requesting estimates since these will simply increase the cost of moving or storing. If flood damaged items are to be discarded, the resident should make sure the insurance company recognizes the items covered by the policy.

If storage facilities are required, visit the facility in order to verify that the firm has adequate security and protection and offers insurance coverage. Many storage companies charge a fee every time someone accesses the storage area.  Make sure you understand the terms of your contract before signing.

Call the BBB at 713-868-9500 or 877-468-9222 to hear a company’s reliability report. Tips and reports are available on the BBB’s Web site at www.BBBhouston.org . The American Moving and Storage Association offers tips online at http://www.moving.org. 

Subject:  Pest Control

Complaints against pest and termite control companies tend to increase after a hurricane. The Bureau regularly processes complaints, which allege that a company found pests during a “free” inspection, but a later inspection by another company disclosed no evidence of pest infestation.

A second opinion should be sought, particularly if infestation is found during a “free” inspection from a door-to-door salesperson. The relatively low cost of an inspection may prove to be a good investment.

Before signing a contract, consumers should determine whether the company is listed in the telephone directory and whether it has a street address. Some questionable companies may operate with only a truck, telephone answering service and a mail drop. Consumers may also check to see whether the name of the company is on the truck.

Federal law requires commercial exterminators to be certified. The agency that controls certification in Texas is the Texas Structural Pest Control Board. Both the company and its technicians must be licensed. A license means the technicians have completed special training and the company has liability insurance.

For references, consumers should check with friends and relatives and call the Better Business Bureau at 713-868-9500 or 877-468-9222 to hear a company’s report. Tips and reports are also available on the BBB’s Web site at www.BBBhouston.org.

Consumers should be wary of companies, which use scare tactics in trying to get your business or use high-pressure sales tactics such as offering a deal which is only good if signed immediately.

Hurricane-Damaged Automobiles

Consumers shopping for new or used automobiles should use extreme caution as the floodwaters recede.

Unscrupulous dealers may try to profit by selling cars that have been damaged by flooding. Individuals may also try to get rid of damaged cars by placing ads in the classified sections of newspapers or other publications.

Consumers nationwide should be on the lookout for hurricane-damaged vehicles transported out-of-state to be sold.

The following signs may indicate whether a vehicle has been exposed to flood waters:

•A strong, musty odor resulting from mildew

•Rusty brackets under the dash, which hold the electrical wiring in place

•Discolored, faded or stained upholstery

•A well-defined line in the vehicle which will indicate how high the water rose

•If the carpet has been replaced, new carpet may fit loosely or may not match the interior color

Consumers should ask directly if the car has been damaged by floodwater. Hurricane victims are urged to contact the BBB 24-hours a day at 713-868-9500 or 877-468-9222 to hear company reliability reports. Tips and reports are also available on the BBB’s Web site at www.BBBhouston.org.

Cooling & Heating Equipment, Major Appliances

Widespread property damage brings out opportunists who attempt to reap large profits from hurricane victims. Homeowners should exercise caution when having their heaters, air conditioners and major appliances repaired, replaced or cleaned after a natural disaster.

There are several steps consumers can take to protect themselves before contacting a repair company:

•Thoroughly clean out mud and residual material.

•Let units dry out thoroughly in order to determine whether the equipment is still functional.

•The gas valve in furnaces could be dangerous if the unit has been submerged. If this occurs, a professional opinion is

recommended.

•When assessing damage to refrigerators, dishwashers and washers or dryers, homeowners should keep in mind that

the degree the appliance was submerged directly affects the amount of damage incurred.

Consumers who decide their appliances need repair work should obtain bids from several firms, making sure that the specifications on each bid are identical. In addition, consumers should ask these firms for references and check each one carefully.

Beware of fly-by-night repair businesses soliciting work in unmarked trucks. A five-year warranty isn’t worth much if the consumer can’t track down the company that issued it.