SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. – In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) is urging residents to remain vigilant against a surge in scams targeting vulnerable homeowners in need of construction and debris removal services.
As many residents seek help to repair storm damage, familiar construction scams are resurfacing, and new fraudulent schemes are emerging. One alarming scam involves individuals falsely claiming that debris needs to be “tested for contamination” before removal, charging unsuspecting homeowners for unnecessary testing and debris removal services.
Read: Hurricane Helene Death Toll Climbs Past 200, Recovery Efforts Continue In North Carolina
The SCSO emphasized that no testing of debris is required by law, and paying someone for testing or removal of so-called “contaminated” debris is a scam. While residents can choose to pay for debris removal, they should be aware that any claims of mandatory testing and removal for contamination are false.
The Sheriff’s Office, along with the Attorney General’s Office, Florida Sheriffs Association, and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, is working to raise awareness and protect residents from these fraudulent activities.
Read: President Biden Increases Federal Aid For Florida’s Hurricane Helene Recovery
To avoid falling victim to a construction or storm-related scam, residents should be on the lookout for these red flags:
- Missing license information
- Unusually low prices
- Use of a P.O. Box instead of a street address
- Requests for large upfront payments
- Unmarked vehicles with out-of-state tags
- Attempts to avoid obtaining necessary permits
- Refusal to provide a written agreement
Additional reminders:
- There is no requirement for debris to be “tested for contamination.”
- There is no requirement for paid removal of “contaminated” debris.
For more information or to verify contractor licenses, visit the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation website at this link. If you suspect you are being scammed, please report the incident to the SCSO. Let’s work together to protect our community from these fraudulent activities.
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