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Attorney General Mayes Warns Arizonans about Storm Related Repair Scams

Press Release - Attorney General Kris Mayes

PHOENIX – Attorney General Kris Mayes today issued a consumer alert after this week's monsoon storms in parts of Arizona. Scammers often take advantage of extreme weather events and the damage they cause. 

“Be wary of anyone promising immediate clean-up or repairs after a weather event,” said Attorney General Mayes. “Scammers and unlicensed contractors often appear after weather events or natural disasters looking to take advantage of people in need. I urge Arizonans to remain vigilant when seeking assistance after a weather event.”

AG Mayes offers the following tips to consumers to avoid storm related repair scams:

  • Talk to your insurance company first.  Verify what your policy covers.
  • Seek referrals.  Ask trusted friends, family or neighbors if they can recommend someone they have used before. 
  • Get several estimates in writing. Compare prices and services before choosing a contractor. A legitimate contractor will provide a written contract outlining the scope of work, cost, and timeline.      
  • Verify the contractor has a license.  Arizona law requires most contractors to be licensed through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC).  You can visit https://roc.az.gov or call (602) 542-1525 to confirm a license is valid and to check for any complaints filed against the contractor.  
  • Never pay anyone who demands payment by gift card or cryptocurrency.  Only scammers will say you can only pay one of those ways.
  • Do not pay in full up front.  A reasonable down payment may be requested but a full payment should only be made once the work is complete and verified. 
  • Be alert to impostor scams.  Scam artists might also pretend to be safety inspectors, government officials, or utility workers. Ask for identification to verify or call the company or government agency to confirm their legitimacy.

If you believe you have been a victim of consumer fraud, you can file a consumer complaint by visiting the Attorney General’s website. If you need a complaint form sent to you, you can contact the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6648, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at (800) 352-8431.  

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