Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte issued a warning today that consumers should be aware of the potential that unscrupulous individuals may attempt to take advantage of the flooding that is impacting much of southern and central New Hampshire. Unfortunately, it is common following a disaster for criminals to take advantage of the desire of citizens to help those in need, and to take advantage of those who are most in need. These scams take the form of fraudulent requests for donations to help victims of a disaster, and thieves or unqualified individuals who represent themselves to be home repair contractors.

Fraudulent Charities

While all citizens are encouraged to donate, residents should be aware that criminals can take advantage of any circumstance. You can steer clear of disaster scams and still make a positive contribution to relief and rebuilding projects. The following tips are provided to help identify legitimate charitable organizations:

• Any fundraiser should identify him or-herself. If the caller is soliciting on behalf of a charity, he or she should be able to identify that charity and, if appropriate, identify him or-herself as a paid solicitor. The paid solicitor should also be willing to mail written information to you upon request.
• Charities can solicit donations on their own behalf without hiring a professional fundraiser; however, any charity that solicits donations from New Hampshire citizens is required to register with the Attorney General's Charitable Trusts Unit. If someone contacts you and there is a question whether the charity is legitimate, please call the Charitable Trusts Unit at 271-3591.
• Any professional fundraiser who solicits donations on behalf of a charity is also required to register with the Charitable Trusts Unit. Feel free to contact the Charitable Trusts Unit if you have any questions regarding a professional fundraiser.
• If the solicitor is rude, cannot identify him or-herself, or acts in a manner you regard as suspicious, think seriously about making the donation.
• Never give out personal information such as social security numbers or bank account numbers over the telephone.
• Donations initiated by citizens though an Internet site should be to trusted charitable organizations and be made only on secure Internet sites. Look for “https” in the Internet site address and the padlock logo to help determine if the site is secure.
• Always be cautious when giving out credit card information or other financial information.

Contractor Scams

Thieves acting as contractors or unqualified contractors soliciting work are a particular threat during times of natural disaster. Attorney General Ayotte cautions consumers to be wary and to take the following precautions when hiring someone to make home repairs:

• Be cautious of anyone selling his or her services door-to-door.
• Do not be pressured into a quick agreement or payment in cash.
• Do not be pressured into agreeing to anything you do not understand or do not want.
• Find our as much as you can about the business, especially if they make unsolicited contact with you or have only become known to you after you become the victim of a natural disaster;
• Ask for proof that they are bonded or insured.
• Ask if this particular job requires a permit. Many construction and home repairs of major significance require a local building permit. If they are unwilling to apply for a local building permit on your behalf, ask questions.
• Get a written estimate.
• Put any agreement in writing.
• Get references, with names and locations of the most recent work done by the contractor. Follow-up on those references, and consider checking examples of work they have done.
• Do not pay too much up-front.
• Make sure you can contact them. Be wary if they can only give you a pager number or a cell phone number. Businesses with established office locations may be safer.

Paving Scams

Due to the recent flooding, Attorney General Kelly Ayotte warns consumers to be extremely cautious when selecting a contractor to repave a driveway or parking lot damaged by the recent floods. Every year, transient pavers enter our state in order to scam unsuspecting homeowners and business people.

The ability to hit and run is the key to a successful asphalt paving scam. Crews usually wander from one community to another offering driveway paving service. The scam artists typically approach consumers in their yards, promising low estimates because of leftover materials from a completed job a few houses away or on a nearby highway project. Some of the asphalt paving scams warning signs are:

• Selling door-to-door.
• Claiming they have leftover asphalt from another job.
• Push consumers to make a quick decision.
• No contract offered.
• Cash only sales.
• Deals that seem to be good to be true.
• Unmarked trucks.