TOLEDO, OH, July 14, 2023: Lucas County Commissioner Lisa A. Sobecki and City of Toledo District 6 Councilwoman Theresa Morris provided tips to help residents avoid potential scams in the wake of the June 15 tornado during a press conference Friday morning at Cullen Park.
Commissioner Sobecki and Councilwoman Morris continue to hear reports from neighbors about scam attempts as the Point Place community rebuilds and makes repairs to homes and structures damaged by the severe storm.
“We want to empower and equip households to make smart decisions when selecting a contractor to patch a roof, repair siding, or replace windows. These are critical home repairs, and, unfortunately, bad actors are attempting to capitalize on families’ sense of urgency to get this work done,” Commissioner Sobecki said. “The government needs to continue working for the people, which is why we’ve consolidated resources to help people find reputable individuals and companies to work with.”
Councilwoman Morris explained: “In order to legally perform home repairs or remodeling work in the City of Toledo, a business must first have a Certificate of Compliance from the City. Homeowners should feel confident asking questions before they sign anything. Ask to see a copy of that certificate, both for the primary contractor and any subcontractors they may use. And trust your gut. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
The City of Toledo can help residents determine whether a contractor or subcontractor is licensed to perform work in the City. You can call the Building Inspection Department at 419-245-1220 or search the City of Toledo’s website at Toledo.oh.gov/remodeling.
If you have a concern about a business or contractor, you can file a consumer complaint with the Ohio Attorney General’s office by visiting https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Individuals-and-Families/Consumers/File-a-Complaint or by calling 1-800-282-0515.
If you would like to file a complaint about an insurance company, call the Ohio Department of Insurance at 1-800-686-1526 or submit a consumer complaint online at https://insurance.ohio.gov/about-us/complaint-center/file-a-consumer-complaint .