Making Sure You Don't Get Taken By Scam Artists

When ever nature strikes a blow, some people see it as a chance to take advantage. <br/><br/>News on 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright has the top three cold cons you should know. <br/><br/>There has

Thursday, January 18th 2007, 2:13 pm

By: News On 6

When ever nature strikes a blow, some people see it as a chance to take advantage.

News on 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright has the top three cold cons you should know.

There has already been a report of a man wearing a FEMA jacket, telling people he would send workers to their home, if they gave him credit card information. Don't add being conned, to your misery.

Workers from A-Best Roofing have been busy this week doing some ice storm related work. If you need any home repair work done, call a reputable company, do not hire people who just show up at your door. People who don't know what they're doing, can make things even worse. Grant Garlington with A-Best Roofing: "somebody starts digging or hacking at your roof, they can do more damage than they can good."

Be leery of anyone who wants part or all of the money up front. Chances are good, they'll just take your money and run; this is the 1st cold con.

Rick Brinkley with the Better Business Bureau in Tulsa: "No matter how much devastation, how desperate, at the end of the day, they are still strangers at your door and you must treat them as such."

If you need supplies, like a generator, buy them at a reputable store. If you can't get one there, don't be tempted to buy one from a stranger on the street. That's con number 2.

Rick Brinkley: "What we're hearing is people have said FEMA is reimbursing half the cost and that's not true and they're asking for high dollars. You get home and it doesn't work, you go back and they are long gone."

The 3rd con is phony disaster appeals, people asking for donations to help people in the hardest hit areas. The simple answer is do not give money to anyone who contacts you. Rick Brinkley: "We get phone calls, emails, people showing up on doorsteps, they want to help people, give blankets to freezing children, all the appeals that work on the emotions and that money is just going to line someone's pockets and not go where you want it to be spent."

Give wisely, which means, you pick the charity, then mail the check.

Once the governor declares a state of emergency, the price gouging law goes into effect, which means stores cannot sell supplies for more than 10 percent above what they'd normally charge. Anyone who sees price gouging should contact the Attorney General's office.