Tree scams aren’t the only potential fraud headache for windblown residents.
Local, state and federal officials caution residents to check out anyone contacting them and claiming to be cleanup or rebuilding contractors.
“This kind of thing occurs with every storm,” said Christopher Garrett, spokesman with the consumer affairs division of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.
“The main thing we want people to know is that they don’t have to rush into anything. Sometimes these guys will pressure homeowners, saying, ‘You better catch me while you can before I go to work for your neighbors,'” Garrett said.
Garrett said Tennessee has an online database where residents may check to see if contractors are licensed, and state officials recommend using only licensed contractors.