Beware of Roofing Scams

It’s severe weather season, which means an increase in roofing scams. Frequently, following a hailstorm or heavy winds, scammers will either call you or knock on your door, pretending to be from a roofing company. “We’ll be in your neighborhood doing free roof inspections tomorrow. Is 9am good for you?” is a typical phone call. Don’t fall for these — the callers are criminals who are just trying to steal your personal information. The callers can often be very pushy on the phone (“but it’s free!”), but you should still say no. If you suspect your roof has been damaged, initiate the inspection/repair process yourself by researching and contacting a reputable company, or by talking with your insurance company. The Colorado Attorney General’s Office offers the following tips for avoiding roofing fraud:

• Never allow an uninvited contractor to inspect your roof or to contact your insurance company directly;
• Say NO to contractors using high pressure sales tactics or requesting that you make an immediate decision;
• Before you spend any significant amount of money on a new roof, contact your insurance company yourself and arrange to have an authorized adjuster come to your home; and
• Obtain bids from at least three different contractors and check each one with organizations like your local Better Business Bureau.

You can find out more on their Roofing Scams page. Helpful tips can also be found on the AG’s Stop Fraud Colorado webpages on Home Repair Fraud, Telemarketing Fraud, and Is That a Reputable Home Repair Contractor At Your Door?

Additionally, the Better Business Bureau has some excellent information on their website [broken link removed 2021-10-19] about dealing with roofs and hail. The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies also has home repair tips on AskDORA, their consumer protection website.