Homeowners in TRI-STATE Tornado Damaged areas BEWARE!

BBB|Cincinnati March 6, 2012

Dear Carey, In light of the recent tornados, I wanted to take a minute to bring to your attention the potential of storm chasers entering our market to target our residents in need.

Alert!   The recent damage done by the tornado in the Tristate area brings out the best in people, as strangers reach out to help others in need. Unfortunately, the aftermath of a crisis also brings out contractors who take advantage of those who have already been victimized. As part of our effort to educate those affected by the tornado we sent out the following press release on March 5, 2012. Your BBB is seeing out-of-state contractors setting up shop in the area trying to capture construction work caused by the tornado.  BBB is warning area contractors to beware of storm chasers who are willing to pay local construction companies substantial amounts of money to use a your company's established name, reputation and phone number so they can masquerade as a local business. We have seen this happen time and time again in other areas of the country.  Contractors who agreed to let these storm chasers use their company name came to regret the decision when they were left dealing with scores of dissatisfied customers after these guys left town to follow the next storm. Even more amazing, BBB has received calls from alleged "locally known contractors" wanting to apply for BBB Accreditation. BBB research showed that they became registered to do business in the state only within the past few days, and further review showed them coming from areas like Oklahoma and Texas. HELP US HELP YOU! If you are contacted by any of these storm chasers offering to use your company's name and reputation beware! Please notify your Better Business Bureau so we can investigate - email us at lkish@cincinnati.bbb.org or call 513.639.9115.