JUNEAU, Wis. — Wisconsin residents are being warned about possible scammers posing as insurance adjusters after severe weather hit the area last week.
Dawn Moneyhan, a Juneau resident affected by the recent severe weather, discovered she was targeted by what insurance agents call "storm chasers" — people who go door-to-door after disasters trying to profit from victims.
"If they can do this to us and we're already aware, what are they doing to everyone around us?" Moneyhan said.
Watch: Juneau homeowner warns of 'storm chaser' scams after suspicious contractor targets her family
"We found our tent mangled and caught up in the clothesline," Moneyhan explained. "And then my dream catchers, those used to hang in the tree. Other than that it was the roof and the shed here."
While Moneyhan's property sustained relatively minor damage, what happened a week after the storm left her concerned.
"A black pick up truck pulled into the driveway, rang the doorbell," Moneyhan said. "My husband who is home sick from work went to answer the door."
Her husband returned after speaking with who he said was an employee with Great Lakes Building Corporation.
"[He] said that he had signed something allowing this adjuster person or contractor to come in with the insurance adjuster so the insurance adjuster wouldn't short us on the damages that we had," Moneyhan explained.
With no contract initially provided and after conducting some research, Moneyhan became suspicious.
"Had my husband call them back and try to cancel this contract, well that wasn't so easy. He didn't want to let us out," Moneyhan said.
Moneyhan and her husband eventually obtained a contract.
Here's what the contract says and how Great Lakes Building Corporation would be paid:
"The Insurance Company is to name the Insured and Great Lakes Adjusters on each check or draft issued from the loss incurred. In all cases where the loss giving rise to the claim for which Great Lakes Adjusters was retained arise from damage to a personal residence, the insurance proceeds shall be delivered to the Insured. When proceeds are paid jointly to the Insured and Great Lakes Adjusters, the Insured shall release such portion of the proceeds, which are due to Great Lakes Adjusters within 30 calendar days after the Insured’s receipt of the insurance company’s check, money order, draft or release of funds."
The contract also states that it can be cancelled within five business days of execution, which Moneyhan did.
"I reached out to our insurance agent," Moneyhan said. "She responded by telling me that they are aware of these people — they call them 'storm chasers,' and they come out after every storm and they prey on vulnerable people."
Moneyhan has Allstate Insurance. TMJ4 spoke with Allstate Friday. A spokesperson said "once a customer files a claim with Allstate, and adjuster will first contact the customer to evaluate for damages. Allstate does not send adjusters to customer's homes unless a claim has been officially filed."
In addition, an Allstate spokesperson said people should be vigilant as fraud often occurs in the wake of severe weather events. They advise to beware of contracts soliciting door-to-door, researching fraud complaints, avoid payment in full up front, and beware of advice to seek reimbursement for nonexistent or exaggerated losses or damages.
Last month, Wisconsin's consumer protection agency warned homeowners about these "storm chasers." State law protects customers and businesses against this type of insurance fraud.
When TMJ4 called Great Lakes Building Corp to ask about their business practices, we were hung up on. A second call resulted in "no comment" from the company.
Moneyhan remains determined to protect her community from such predatory practices.
"This is my community," Moneyham said. "You can't come in here and do this and prey on us when I'm standing guard because I'm not gonna let that happen."
For more information on your rights as a consumer or business owner when it comes to potential storm scams, click here.
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