BY CAROL ABAYA

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Scammers are out in force this time of year, especially after Superstorm Sandy devastated the Jersey shore.  Clean up provides many opportunities for illegal and unscrupulous contractors  and more importantly for charities to take advantage of storm victims.

Christopher J. Gramiccioni, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor, is heading a Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force. Information in a just-released letter to residents is geared to help those with storm damage avoid becoming the victim of con-artists.

Besides contractor and fixer-upper scams, Gramiccioni warns about charity scams, cyber scams, social media scams, price gouging and identity theft.

Gramiccioni says “CHARITY SCAMS are real. Con -artists are looking to make some quick money and exploit the generosity of strangers. Before donating anything to any charity, verify the integrity of the organization by calling the NJ Consumer Affairs office at 973-504-6215.”

He also says “CYBER SCAMS can happen to you. Many fall prey to internet scams.”

Best advice:

• Do not respond to unsolicited or suspicious emails.
• Do not open any attachments contained in suspicious emails.
• Do not respond to emails asked for personal information or to ‘verify’ information.

SOCIAL MEDIA scams are on the rise, and Facebook and Twitter users fall prey to those who say they are helping a storm victim or a victim of some disease.

News stories and videos claiming to have ‘shocking footage’ of the storm may contain malware which can compromise your computer. Be wary of these emails.

Advice:  Avoid clicking on links to such videos, especially those asking you to install new software.

In reference to repair work done as a direct result of Sandy or just as spring fixing-up, Gramiccioni says “Verify the legitimacy of all contractors before doing business with them.  All contractors must be licensed (Home Improvement Contractor, HIC)  by the state. Call 973-431-7900 to verify.”

The DON’Ts, according to Gramiccioni:

• Do not do business with any HIC who refuses to give you a written estimate which has company name and license number clearly on the estimate or refuses to show  you a valid Certificate of Liability Insurance.
• Do not do business without a written contract which lists the work to be done.
• Do not give any contractor full payment up front or cash at any time during the process.
• Do not have a contractor inflate the cost for the insurance company.
• Avoid any contractor who says a town permit is not required. Many towns do require permits for certain non-cosmetic work.

Gramiccioni also warns against the door-to-door contractors who knock on your door and say they will give you a special price because they are working in the neighborhood.

Homeowners can verify a contractor with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at 973-273-8090 or https://newjersey.mylicense.com/verification/.