CONSUMER ALERT: Attorney General Moody Warns Floridians Affected by Hurricane Debby About Disaster-Related Scams

Skip to main content Home Meet the Attorney General Attorney General James Uthmeier Official Photo About the Office Departments AG Opinions Antitrust Civil Legal Services Civil Litigation Consumer Protection Criminal Appeals Litigation Services Medicaid Fraud Parental Rights Solicitor General Statewide Prosecution Programs Back the Blue Be a Florida Hero Consumer Alerts Criminal Justice Programs Military and Veterans Assistance Program Seniors vs. Crime Cold Case Investigations Unit Services Civil Rights Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Identity Theft Lemon Law Office of Inspector General Open Government Victims Services Contact Us Addresses & Phone Numbers File A Complaint General Inquiries Media Contact × Home Meet the Attorney General Attorney General James Uthmeier Official Photo About the Office Departments AG Opinions Antitrust Civil Legal Services Civil Litigation Consumer Protection Criminal Appeals Litigation Services Medicaid Fraud Parental Rights Solicitor General Statewide Prosecution Programs Back the Blue Be a Florida Hero Consumer Alerts Criminal Justice Programs Military and Veterans Assistance Program Seniors vs. Crime Cold Case Investigations Unit Services Civil Rights Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Identity Theft Lemon Law Office of Inspector General Open Government Victims Services Contact Us Addresses & Phone Numbers File A Complaint General Inquiries Media Contact Breadcrumb Home News Releases Consumer Alert Attorney General Moody Warns Floridians Affected Hurricane Debby About Skip to main content CONSUMER ALERT: Attorney General Moody Warns Floridians Affected by Hurricane Debby About Disaster-Related Scams View PDF Release Date Aug 6, 2024 Contact Kylie Mason Phone (850) 245-0150 TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians to be cautious of price gouging, disaster scams and fraud in the aftermath of Hurricane Debby. Hurricane Debby affected millions of Floridians, bringing catastrophic storm surge along Florida’s west coast while making landfall in the Big Bend region early Monday morning. These Floridians may now be seeking food, shelter, debris removal or home repairs. Attorney General Moody’s Price Gouging Hotline remains activated for consumers to report allegations of extreme price increases, as well as scams related to the ongoing recovery efforts. Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “As the recovery process for Hurricane Debby begins, it is important to remain vigilant for scams and price gouging. Bad actors may try to take advantage of Floridians recovering from the storm with disaster-related scams, such as contractor fraud and debris-removal scams. Floridians, please make sure all services are legitimate—research companies, verify licenses and review our Scams at a Glance: After the Storm brochure that provides additional tips and resources.” Following a disaster like Hurricane Debby, qualified contractors are usually in high demand and become booked up for months. Scammers or unqualified out-of-state workers may flood in to take advantage of Floridians in need of legitimate service. If property is damaged from the storm, follow these tips when hiring a contractor: Have an insurance company evaluate damage before arranging repairs to ensure that the work will be covered under a policy; Get at least three written, itemized estimates on bids or repairs; Watch out for unsolicited offers or contractors claiming to perform repairs at a discount with leftover supplies from another job; Research a company and its reputation—look for references online, or ask a friend; Check to see if a company is properly licensed, insured and if there are any consumer complaints filed against a licensed contractor at MyFloridaLicense.com; Make sure a contractor is bonded and verified with a bonding agency; Read the entire contract, including the fine print, before signing to ensure it includes the required buyer’s right to cancel language. Understand penalties that may be imposed for cancellation; Insist on releases of any liens that could be placed on the property from all subcontractors prior to making final payments. Homeowners may unknowingly have liens placed against their properties by suppliers or subcontractors who did not get paid by the contractor. If the contractor fails to pay them, the liens will remain on the title; Never pay the full amount of a repair expense upfront, and hesitate before providing large deposits; and Do not sign a certificate of completion or make final payment until satisfied with the work performed. The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers disaster relief to eligible victims through various programs. Scammers may pose as FEMA officials to prey on vulnerable Floridians after a storm. When seeking aid, consider the following: No state or federal disaster-relief agency will call asking for personal information; State and federal workers carry identification and will not ask for or accept cash; Know that applica