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CA Department of Insurance
CA Department of Insurance
CA Department of Insurance

Advisory: Enforcement Teams Canvas Carr Fire Neighborhoods to Warn of Scams Targeting Survivors

Department of Insurance, Contractors State License Board and Shasta County District Attorney team up to protect wildfire survivors

REDDING, Calif. —The Department of Insurance (CDI) has teamed up with Contractors State License Board (CSLB) and the Shasta County District Attorney's Office (DA) to educate survivors of the devastating Carr Fire about steps they can take to protect themselves from unlicensed or unscrupulous contractors and other scam artists that might target them as they begin to recover and rebuild.

Anxious to rebuild or make repairs after the wildfire, homeowners may unwittingly invite fraudsters onto their property or into their home when they contract with unlicensed individuals. Homeowners risk being victimized a second time through financial loss, and liability if a worker is injured on their property and not covered by workers' compensation insurance.

On Wednesday morning, August 15, 2018, the media is invited to join teams as they canvas neighborhoods, posting warning signs, meeting with fire survivors, and potentially encountering unlicensed or unscrupulous contractors.

WHO: California Department of Insurance Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
Contractors State License Board Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT)
Shasta County District Attorney investigators

WHEN: Wednesday August 15, 2018, 9:00 a.m.

WHERE: Caldwell Park (Parking Lot next to 1st Base Side of Baseball Field)
Quartz Hill Road, just east of train overcrossing

If late, call Rick Lopes 916-947-8828 or Madison Voss 916-508-6015 to meet up with teams in the field.

Media Notes:
  • CDI and CSLB staff can provide tips to help survivors protect themselves from being victimized, and warnings to those who may try to come into disaster area to take advantage of the disaster survivors.
  • Legitimate, licensed contractors face unfair competition from illegal operators who skirt laws that protect homeowners and workers.
  • Like contractors, insurance adjusters also must be licensed; wildfire victims must be cautious before allowing anyone to help with their damage claims.  
 
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