Cibola County residents are being warned to protect themselves from fraudulent contractors. According to the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, fraudulent contractors are looking to try scamming disaster survivors, like people who have survived wildfire or had to be evacuated due to a fire.
The alert came out on July 25, warning residents across New Mexico, but especially in disaster zones, about potential scammers posing as contractors willing to help rebuild. “Attempts to scam residents can be made over the phone, by mail or email, through the internet or in person. It is important to remain alert, as con artists are creative and resourceful. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it should be questioned,” according to a press release by NMDHSEM.
Residents should make sure that contractors have the correct paperwork and permits. “Out-of-town scam artists may be the first to arrive at your front door after a disaster. Do your research. To find out if a potential contractor is licensed to work in New Mexico, contact the New Mexico State Licensing Board for Contractors at rld.nm.gov/about-us/public-information-hub/online-services/ or call them at (505) 476-4500 or use. FEMA does not license or certify contractors,” according to the press release.
Resources are available to people effected by scams. The press release reads, “Report suspicious activity of this kind to your local police department, the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-223-0814, or the Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection Section in New Mexico: nmag.gov/consumer-protection-1.aspx or submit a complaint by visiting the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General’s (nmag.gov) page: secure.nmag.gov/ecs. You can also report the suspected fraud to the Better Business Bureau at (505) 346-0110 or visit bbb.org/local-bbb/bbbserving-new-mexico-and-southwest-colorado.”
NMDHSEM warns residents to be aware of the following warning signs which may be present in a fraudulent contractor:
Door-To -Door Solicitations
High Pressure Sales or Scare Tactics
Demand for Cash, Unusually Large Down Payments or Advanced Full Payment
Special Deals or Extremely Low Bids
Verbal Agreements, No Written Contract
Out of State, No Permanent Place of Business, No Insurance
Inadequate References
Protect Yourself Locally
Code Enforcement Offices can help customers to make sure that they are doing business with a reputable source. By contacting the local code enforcement office, residents can confirm that a contractor or business has the necessary licenses and paperwork to operate.
The Cibola County government does not have a code enforcement office. Instead, they have a recording office in the County Clerk’s Office of the government, this office will be able to check the licenses and paperwork of businesses.
The City of Grants Code Enforcement Office can be reached at (505)285-3981.
The Village of Milan Code Enforcer can be reached at (505) 290-4605.
Cibola County’s Recording Office can be contacted at (505)287-9431, choose option number 2 on the list, then choose option number 5.