In light of the catastrophic flooding disaster in significant parts of Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued a consumer alert warning Texans about potential scams that unscrupulous individuals might deploy. A statement from Paxton highlights the gravity of the situation: "There are no words for how wrong it is that morally bankrupt people are trying to take advantage of Texans by using this tragedy to scam them." He goes on to ensure that these bad actors will face the "full force of the law," according to the release published by the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
Texans who have been affected by the floods are urged to be especially cautious of anyone who approaches them with offers of assistance in rebuilding or soliciting monetary funds. There are reports of contractors who, historically, have failed to actually perform any work that they were paid to do in the wake of such disasters. Texans are encouraged to critically vet contractors, carefully avoid to rush into signing any contracts without doing proper due diligence like asking for references and checking with the Better Business Bureau, as reported by the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
As scams proliferate following natural disasters, residents are reminded to stay vigilant against potential bad actors from outside their local area. A state law kicks in once the governor declares a disaster area, which prohibits businesses from charging exorbitant prices for necessities, a practice also known as price gouging. In a declaration by Governor Greg Abbott, the following counties have been listed as state disaster areas: Bandera, Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Coke, Comal, Concho, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Reeves, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson, as stated by the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
For those seeking further information on how to spot and protect against scams during such times of disaster, the Texas Attorney General’s Office directs the public to their website for guidance. In case any Texan believes they have fallen victim to a scam or encountered price gouging, they are encouraged to not hesitate to contact the Office of the Attorney General's complaint line at 1-800-621-0508 or to file an online complaint. Vigilance during these times is paramount to not solely rebuild, but to also protect the vulnerable from those who might prey on desperation and hope amid calamity.
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