LAPLACE – Since the end of last year, St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre said that he has seen an increase in the number of reported contractor fraud incidents. In most cases, the victims have paid for a portion of the work to be completed, and the contractor did not finish the job.
Tregre recommends that citizens who are still rebuilding from Hurricane Isaac obtain a typed and signed contract stipulating the work to be performed, including all guarantees and warranties clearly spelled out. Customers should ask the contractor for referrals and verify the
references of previous work completed. Tregre also suggests consumers visually inspect previous jobs the contractor completed, if possible.
Citizens should require the contractor to provide proof of insurance and a Louisiana Contractor’s License. If an out of state contractor is hired, be sure that the person can provide identification and proof of insurance. When choosing a contractor, Tregre recommends consumers review helpful websites similar to the National Center for Prevention of Home Improvement Fraud, www.ncphif.org.
 “If you were a victim of Hurricane Isaac, do not allow yourself to be a victim of contractor fraud,” said Tregre.