Avoid Scams and Fraud

Overview

The City urges all property owners to be aware of predatory individuals who may attempt to exploit this disaster situation. The City of St. Louis is not trying to take your property away. Be cautious of anyone claiming to represent the city who:

• Demands immediate payment or threatens immediate property seizure
• Asks for upfront fees or payments
• Pressures you to sign documents without proper review
• Claims they can "save" your property for a fee

All legitimate city communications regarding property taxes come directly from an official city office. If you receive suspicious contact, please call our office, the sheriff or city hall immediately to verify.

Avoid Home Repair Scams

You may be approached by people offering to perform repairs on your home. Be cautious when choosing who to work with:

• Avoid businesses that offer low cost repairs but require full payment up front.
• Get multiple estimates for repairs so that you know what the average rates are.
• Ensure that contractors have marked vehicles and identification.
• Exercise caution when giving out financial or personal information.

Hire Licensed and Insured Contractors

If your home was damaged in the May 16 tornado and you would like to hire a professional contractor to perform repairs, the City of St. Louis has created a registration process for contractors interested in working in the tornado impact zone. Residents can utilize this list to help in their hiring decisions. Learn more about the contractor registry.

Take Care When Donating to Charity

To ensure that your donated money or goods are in safe hands, take the following precautions when being asked for donations:

• Avoid giving cash to or writing a check to an individual person.
• Ask for printed materials outlining how donations are handled and how help is distributed.
• Research organizations online before giving.
• Do not provide financial or personal information to people soliciting donations.

The City site has a list of legitimate local organizations accepting donations for tornado relief.

Report Fraud or Deception

Report any fraud or deceptive practices to the Consumer Complaint Unit of the Missouri Attorney General's Office.

(Source for the above information: State Emergency Management Agency)