Wildfire season is here, and for many people the threat of evacuations is real. Better Business Bureau's Veronica Craker explains how you can protect your home and workplace before disaster strikes.
Scammers are known to target disaster victims.
"At BBB we call them 'storm chasers' but basically these are out-of-town contractors who roll in after disaster strikes, offering their services to clean up or rebuild," Craker said.
"Although not all of these contractors are frauds, you should still fully research whoever you hire for help. If they are not properly licensed in your area and there’s an accident, you may be liable. Often these con artists offer quick fixes for cheap. That’s how you can spot an untrustworthy business," Craker explained.
According to the BBB, homeowners should keep important documents secure and stored in a safe place that is easy to access, such as a safe deposit box.
Businesses should also have a plan in place in case of a disaster. Craker says, practice emergency drills with employees and keep critical information in one area that can be quickly accessed.
"Remember to safeguard your customers’ privacy by protecting their data. Lock up important papers or transfer them to the cloud to keep them safe and intact," Craker added.
For more information visit, https://ioem.idaho.gov/Pages/Preparedness.aspx or www.bbb.org.
