'Storm Damage' Roof / Chimney Door-Knock Scam
After a storm, 'contractors' knock claiming roof, chimney, or siding damage, take an insurance deposit, and do shoddy work or disappear.
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
Following storms, 'storm chasers' canvass neighborhoods claiming they spotted damage to your roof, chimney, gutters, or siding and offer to handle your insurance claim. They may fabricate or exaggerate damage (sometimes causing it), collect a deposit or your insurance payout, and then do poor work, inflate costs, or vanish. Some pressure you to sign an 'authorization' that assigns your insurance benefits to them. Vetting contractors and involving your own insurer directly are the defenses.
What it usually looks like
- Post-storm door-knocks about roof/chimney damage.
- Offers to handle your insurance claim.
- Pressure for a deposit or to sign an authorization.
- Unverifiable, out-of-town crews.
Common warning signs
- Unsolicited storm-damage inspections.
- Assignment-of-benefits documents to sign.
- Deposits before verified work.
- Out-of-town 'storm chasers' with no local track record.
Example wording scammers use
“We noticed storm damage on your roof — sign here and we'll handle your insurance and start right away.”
“Put down a deposit today to get on our schedule before it rains again.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- A deposit or your insurance payout.
- To do shoddy work or disappear.
- Control of your insurance claim.
What to do
- Contact your own insurer directly to inspect and file any claim.
- Get written estimates and verify local licensing/insurance/reviews.
- Never sign an assignment of benefits or pay a deposit under pressure.
- Have your own trusted inspector confirm damage.
What to do if you already responded
- Notify your insurer; stop further payments and document everything.
- Consult an attorney if you signed an assignment of benefits.
- Report to your state AG/BBB and reportfraud.ftc.gov.