BAY MINETTE, Ala. — State leaders gathered at the Baldwin County Courthouse annex Monday to warn residents recovering from Hurricane Sally about consumer scams that tend to follow major storms.
Cleanup is underway from Orange Beach north through Bay Minette, drawing contractors from across the country. Among the biggest concerns officials cited is being cheated by tree-removal companies. Their advice: compare prices with neighbors, look for online reviews, and avoid rushing into a deal.
“Try to use your common sense and not get in a hurry. What we are expecting over the next month and six weeks, people will be victimized,” said Assistant Attorney General Tina Hammonds of the Alabama Attorney General’s Office.
The briefing outlined how storm victims can guard against home-repair fraud and price gouging, and how to report suspected fraud to law enforcement.