DARLINGTON - Homeowners hit by last week's storms need to be on the lookout to another threat - scam artists.
"We are advising residents of Lafayette County to be aware of building repair contractors who may attempt to take advantage of this situation," Lafayette County Sheriff Scott Pedley said Friday in a news release.
Not every contractor who comes to Lafayette County should be considered untrustworthy, he added.
"We simply want to raise the level of awareness of our citizens," he said.
Pedley said an estimated 150 homes and buildings were damaged by hail during a storm July 24.
Pedley encouraged people to deal with contractors they know and trust. He said most contractors are honest, but some aren't.
The Lafayette County Sheriff's Department advises people:
• Get all estimates, guarantees and work dates in writing.
• Get a second opinion.
• Don't give in to high pressure tactics.
• Be suspicious of door-to-door solicitors.
• Ask for identification of any workers before they come into the house.
• Check references.
• Have payment schedules in writing.
• Avoid doing business with out-of-state contractors, especially those with a post office box as their address.
Pedley suggested people get the license plate number and the make and model of the car used by someone who claims to be a contractor.
Anyone contacted by a contractor who has concerns can contact the sheriff's department at (608) 776-4870.
Additional information about contractors is available at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection at (800) 422-7128, or the Better Business Bureau at (800) 273-1002.
"We are advising residents of Lafayette County to be aware of building repair contractors who may attempt to take advantage of this situation," Lafayette County Sheriff Scott Pedley said Friday in a news release.
Not every contractor who comes to Lafayette County should be considered untrustworthy, he added.
"We simply want to raise the level of awareness of our citizens," he said.
Pedley said an estimated 150 homes and buildings were damaged by hail during a storm July 24.
Pedley encouraged people to deal with contractors they know and trust. He said most contractors are honest, but some aren't.
The Lafayette County Sheriff's Department advises people:
• Get all estimates, guarantees and work dates in writing.
• Get a second opinion.
• Don't give in to high pressure tactics.
• Be suspicious of door-to-door solicitors.
• Ask for identification of any workers before they come into the house.
• Check references.
• Have payment schedules in writing.
• Avoid doing business with out-of-state contractors, especially those with a post office box as their address.
Pedley suggested people get the license plate number and the make and model of the car used by someone who claims to be a contractor.
Anyone contacted by a contractor who has concerns can contact the sheriff's department at (608) 776-4870.
Additional information about contractors is available at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection at (800) 422-7128, or the Better Business Bureau at (800) 273-1002.