With Tropical Storm Debby expected to bring as much as a foot of rain and flooding to parts of South Carolina this week, the state Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) is urging residents to be prepared for impacts wrought by large storms, as well as scams that could show up in a storm’s wake.
Renters
“If you're renting property right now, it's a good time to find those ways to get hold of your landlord,” said Scott Cooke, communications director for SCDCA. “If an emergency comes up, know their process for reporting damages.”
If the roof leaks, floodwaters enter your residence, or a storm blows something through a window, Cooke said, make sure you know the best ways to contact your landlord. That means making sure you have current phone numbers and email addresses.
Homeowners
“The big thing for homeowners right now,” he said, “is know your policies. Know what they cover, know what they don't cover. That's just as important too sometimes.”
Flood insurance, for example, is a separate policy from general homeowners’ insurance. Cooke says making sure you understand what you’re covered for and what you’re not can make a big difference when damage strikes.
Everyone: Organize, Print, Prepare
“You may want to go ahead and print out phone numbers,” Cooke said. “Know how to get hold of people various ways. You might be thinking about if your power goes out or [that] you may not be able to access your phone if it dies.”
While the cloud might be a good option for backing up contacts and documents, Cooke said old-fashioned paper copies, kept dry in plastic food storage bags, are never bad to have on hand if power goes out for a long time.
After the Storm, Beware of Scams
Scammers love to take advantage of the chaos storms can bring. Cooke said that some red flags include contractors who show up at your front door immediately following a storm, offering to fix problems around your home.
Some might be legit, he said, but some might not be.
“We recommend sticking to [contractors] who have roots in your town or your community,” Cooke said. “Know who they are. Get everything in writing and rely on your neighbors – [maybe] they've done work with one of your neighbors or one of your friends or family members.”
Cooke said to always get multiple bids before signing on to a repair project. Residents can also check company names and complaints at SCDCA’s website.
Residents can also find out more about storm-related scams by clicking HERE.
