Roofing scammers come to town amid Florence aftermath

MINT HILL, N.C. — Hurricane Florence has moved out, but neighbors in the Charlotte area have reported scammers moving in.

Consumer advocates told Channel 9 they’ve received nearly three dozen calls since Sunday about roofing companies trying to rip people off.

[BBB advice on hiring companies for home improvement]

Residents in the Lawyers Station area of Mint Hill have reported seeing scammers driving through the neighborhood and approaching people, offering to inspect roofs.

Jim Turner said he had a similar experience recently.

"Fella stopped by said they were looking at some roofs that had damage,” Turner said. “(They asked if I had) any (damage.) I said, ‘I don't know, can't get up there.’”

He allowed them to inspect, and they came back and said he definitely had damage.

“My insurance (company came) out, looked at it; said there was no damage,” Turner said.

Tom Bartholomy, president of Charlotte’s BBB, said if a contractor knocks on your door soliciting your business and they’re from out of town, those are red flags.

"That's tempting, but you don't know these guys,” he said. “All you should know is that they're not from here. If they fix your roof and it rains and it is leaking, they're going to be in Florida, Georgia, Texas,” Bartholomy said. “Good luck finding them.”

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