Lisa Madigan warns of repair scams by ‘storm chasers’
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is urging residents with damaged homes and businesses to be wary of scam artists looking to profit from Sunday’s severe weather.
Madigan’s office released a statement Tuesday alerting homeowners about dishonest contractors called “storm chasers” who are known to bring their scams into affected communities after severe weather.
Investigators from Madigan’s office have been in the tornado-ravaged Illinois community of Washington since Sunday. They’ll investigate complaints about contractors.
Madigan suggests avoiding quick decisions, dealing only with licensed contractors and insisting on a written contract. She advises consumers to never make a full payment until work is done to their satisfaction.
Consumers have the right to cancel a contract within three business days if they signed it based on the contractor’s visit to their home.