Watch out for tree removal scams, AG Cooper warns

RALEIGH Snow and ice expected to fall on much of North Carolina could be followed by scammers seeking to take advantage of consumers who need help removing trees brought down by the storm, Attorney General Roy Cooper warned Wednesday.

Tree damage from ice storms brings out scammers trying to rip you off, said Cooper. After a bad storm, tree services will go door-to-door looking for customers. If you need help getting a fallen tree off your home or car, find someone qualified to do the work instead of falling for a scam.

While many tree removal companies are reputable, unscrupulous scammers often travel to areas that have been hit by natural disasters to take advantage of consumers. Consumers should report tree removal scams to local law enforcement and to the Attorney Generals Consumer Protection Division, Cooper said.

North Carolina residents can report scams and frauds to Coopers office by calling toll-free 1-877-5-NO-SCAM within the state or by filing a consumer complaint.

To avoid problems when hiring a tree removal service:

* Dont pay upfront. Be very wary of any request to pay deposits or other fees for tree work in advance. Out-of-state tree cutters have been known to collect deposits from entire neighborhoods and then disappear without performing any work. Only pay when the work is done and you are satisfied.

* Avoid fly-by-night companies. Tree services that knock on your door or that just arrived in town from another state may not stick around to finish the job. Choose local companies with good reputations for the best results.

* Check out the company. Contact our Consumer Protection Division and the Better Business Bureau to see if they have complaints against the company. Ask the company for local references, and look online for reviews of its work.

* Make sure the company is insured. If a tree removal service claims to have insurance, dont just take their word for it. Contact the insurer directly and ask them to send you a copy of the tree removal services certificate of insurance.

* Find out a fair price. Be skeptical of any price that seems unusually high or low. To find out the going rate for tree removal, get written estimates from more than one company. Check with friends whove had tree work done recently to see what they paid and who they would recommend.

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Watch out for tree removal scams, AG Cooper warns