Shreveport Don’t Get Fooled By This New Scam

In the wake of Hurricane Francine Louisiana is again in the throws of rebuilding parts of the state, but with lots of contracted work being sought, scammers are bound to catch on.

Attorney General Liz Murrill aims to ensure every Louisiana resident knows what to consider when looking for a trustworthy contractor.

The Attorney General gives 10 red flags everyone should look out for when hiring a contractor:

1. Watch out for Door-To-Door solicits
2. Make sure they are local
3. Be suspicious if they offer to use leftover materials
4. Discounts for referrals are not standard practice
5. Watch out if they demand cash-only or demand payment upfront in full
6. Make sure you've familiarised yourself with any paperwork before signing off
7. A contractor will not ask you to acquire a permit, typically the contractor handles that
8. A reputable contractor will not ask to use your home as a security for a loan
9. Watch for high-pressure sales tactics
10. Avoid being used as a "Demonstration" job

When hiring a contractor there are key steps to check before finalizing the hiring process, some key steps include getting several bids to get the job done, requiring proof of insurance for a contractor, verification of the contractor's background, and getting all agreements in writing.

Once you've found a contractor you like make sure you have the following information as it might come in important later on.

• Contractor's Details
  • Name
  • Local Address
  • Phone Number
• Insurer's Details
  • Insurer's Name
  • Policy Number
  • Policy Amount
• Louisiana Contrtactor's License Number
• Assurance of Their References
• Written Contract & Guarantee
  • Details of dates, descriptions of work to get done, total cost of labor, and the schedule for payment