Attorney General Dave Sunday and the Office’s Bureau of Consumer Protection are offering tips for Pennsylvanians trying to dig themselves out of the recent storm — along with some potentially cost-saving guidance.
“Following major storms and other disaster-type events, scammers are on the prowl looking to take advantage,” Attorney General Sunday said. “Scammers don’t take a snow-day, so it is important to always stay vigilant.”
“Now is also a good time to take a look at your essential services for any cost savings that may be available to you and your families,” Attorney General Sunday added.
The Bureau of Consumer Protection is offering the following advice to avoid winter weather-related scams;
- Verify any potential contractor is legitimate. Get references, ask for proof of insurance, read all contracts thoroughly and retain a copy for yourself. Consumers can contact the Office of Attorney General’s Home Improvement Registration Hotline at 1-888-520-6680 to verify if a contractor is registered with the Office. Registration is not an endorsement, recommendation, or approval by the Office of Attorney General of the contractor’s competency or skill.
- Watch for potential scammers claiming to be from your utility company. There has been an increase in bad actors claiming to be from your utility company to try to obtain your personal or banking information. Be sure to contact your utility company using the phone number from your official bill. You can read more tips on protecting yourself from these types of scams here.
- Watch the way you pay. Never use gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or person to person money transfer apps – like Zelle or Venmo – when paying a stranger. The best way to make a payment to someone you do not know is through your credit card as your card may offer additional protections that these other services do not offer.
- Avoid social media advertisements. Deals online on websites such as Facebook, Instagram, X, and other social media sites may advertise deals that sound “too good to be true” because they probably are too good to be true. Advertisements for these fake services can be anything, such as emergency heating services, snow shoveling services, or discounted services on phone, tv, or internet services.
- Slow down, question the situation, never rush into a payment. Taking a moment to verify if something is true could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
