Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO) is a non-profit regional law firm that provide high quality legal assistance in civil matters to help eligible low-income individuals and groups in western Ohio achieve self reliance, and equal justice and economic opportunity.
Tornado Disaster Relief – Avoiding Scams
Natural disasters, like the tornadoes that hit the Greater Dayton area on Memorial Day, present prime opportunities for consumer fraud and scams. There have been reports of scammers claiming to be from Ohio Task Force 1, a reputable state and federal emergency response team. Other common claims are contractors being paid for work they never complete. To help protect yourself against scams, be sure to:
- Hire a good contractor that you have checked out on-line, with friends or neighbors, the Better Business Bureau, or your insurance agent, or other online resources.
- Get and check several references and get estimates.
- Get everything in writing and keep a copy.
- Don’t pay anything before the work begins. Pay only a small portion of the total cost at the beginning. Don’t make final payment until the work is finished and approved by you.
For more information, check out the Tornado Recovery Information available at www.legalaidline.org.
About the author
Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc.