Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
As all of Madison County and surrounding areas continue the recovery process from the ravages of Hurricane Idalia, predators are everywhere, offering to assist residents with tree removal and clean-up efforts at extravagant prices.
Some of these unscrupulous folks are very persistent, playing the victim themselves, telling residents that “our crews need the work.” Others are assuring homeowners that their insurance will reimburse them for payments made for cleanup. One resident stated they were given a quote of $5,000 to remove a fallen tree from their yard.
Another tactic of these scammers is to quote unusually low fees for their services, but they will not actually complete the job once money is in hand. Sadly, if you don’t know who you’re dealing with, you should exercise caution.
Anyone who offers their services should first provide identification, license numbers and certification. Many local residents are working tirelessly to help their neighbors. Countless local heroes have stepped up to assist others in need, and they continue to do so.
Timmy Dyke has had to persuade some residents to allow him to help. They were leary because he wasn’t charging anything. Daryl Hall, according to relatives, canceled a large family vacation so he could help others after the storm. Also, there are several reputable outside organizations who are doing a great job of helping our community, such as the Cajun Navy.
Madison County Sheriff David Harper posted an informative message on Facebook regarding the current situation and ways to avoid becoming a victim. “There are numerous individuals who have came to our county offering debris clean up and removal, as well as home repair services,” said Harper. “Many are claiming to be contractors and legitimate professional service providers. A large number of these individuals are from out of state. Although some of them may be as advertised, the reality is the majority of them are not. Their intent is to get as much money from you as they can and move on to the next. . . I suggest that you take precautions before choosing who you hire for service. Request the following documentation.
1. State or Local Business License
2. General Contractor License
3. State Issued Identification
4. Proof of Liability Insurance
5. Proof of Company Ownership and Documentation of Business Name
6. Take a photo of the individual(s) including vehicles and tag number.”