Post-disaster contractor fraud costs hardworking Americans billions of dollars every year.
To address this growing problem, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office are teaming up to educate homeowners on how to avoid becoming a victim of deceptive contractors after a natural disaster as part of its third annual Contractor Fraud Awareness Week. Unfortunately, these catastrophic events provide an opening for dishonest contractors looking to take advantage of homeowners.
In 2021, insurers paid $92 billion in catastrophe losses, with upwards of 10% or $9.2 billion lost to post-disaster fraud. This can add hundreds of dollars to a homeowner’s annual premium. NICB’s Contractor Fraud Awareness Week runs from May 22 to May 26, 2023, and includes partnerships with fourteen states that have issued official proclamations recognizing the importance of combating post-disaster contractor fraud.
“Home Improvement Contractor Fraud is a clear and present danger to the citizens of Bucks County,” said Bucks County Deputy District Attorney Marc J. Furber, Chief of Economic Crimes and Insurance Fraud. “The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office has aggressively fought against those who commit these crimes. We will continue this fight, hoping to ensure that citizens of Bucks County are protected from the devastation that these crimes bring. We are proud to partner with the NICB, PA IFPA and Bucks County Consumer Protection in an effort to prevent and detect new instances of Home Improvement Fraud.”