Des Plaines Residents On Alert For Flood Scams
DES PLAINES (CBS) -- Flood stricken Des Plaines residents have more to worry about now.
The city is alerting residents to possible home repair fraud, CBS 2's Mike Parker reports.
In residential neighborhoods along the Des Plaines River, most of the water is gone.
City crews are out picking up debris from flooded homes. Things are slowly getting back to something near normal.
Police Chief William Kushner says the "biggest problem that we face right now are people trying to capitalize on the tragedy. This is definitely the time when we get the 'chimney shakers' and the home repair scams coming out."
Homeowners are warned to be wary of out of state, fly by night, repair and restoration artists. Shoddy repairs and trickery are the dangers.
"It doesn't surprise me," says resident Steve Brody. "You do see trucks from Alabama and Florida and the minute they smell dollars, they're on their way."
Police says residents should always ask to see their city licenses and permits. They should not pay cash until the work is done and they should never give out their credit card numbers.
The city says more than 700 homes were damaged in the recent flood.
That means more than 700 victims could be out there, targeted for fleecing.
