Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti’s office is warning Tennesseans impacted by Hurricane Helene to be wary of scammers and knowledgeable of price gouging in the aftermath of the storm.
Remnants of Hurricane Helene have caused widespread damage across East Tennessee since Thursday, with multiple communities experiencing catastrophic flash flooding which has destroyed roads and buildings.
Our prayers continue to be with those recovering from Hurricane Helene's devastation across East Tennessee and Appalachia.
Please, watch and share this important PSA from @AGTennessee on avoiding scammers.https://t.co/VVJeaX6nWr pic.twitter.com/jl9F7baSli
— TN Attorney General (@AGTennessee) September 30, 2024
The Tennessee Department of Health has since confirmed six weather-related fatalities as a result of the storm.
“While most Tennesseans are showing the best of the Volunteer spirit to our neighbors devastated by Helene, a few bad actors always slime out of the woodwork to take advantage of those in need,” Skrmetti said in a statement.
Skrmetti went on to warn that price gouging and scamming is illegal, adding, “My office will not hesitate to enforce Tennessee’s consumer protection laws against any bad actor attempting to rip off Tennesseans recovering from the storm.”
The Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs is reminding victims of Hurricane Helene to be cautious of disaster relief scams, especially when it comes to avoiding scams related to constructions or repairs and being able to recognize price gouging.
For those who are in need of construction or repairs on their homes, the Division of Consumer Affairs recommends consumers make sure the company they choose to complete the work is properly registered and licensed by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.
The Division of Consumer Affairs also urges those who are in need of repairs to avoid hiring contractors who demand the cost of home repairs in full upfront, as contractors in the Volunteer State are generally prohibited from charging more than one-third of the contract price for a deposit.
Price gouging is also a common concern in the aftermath of a disaster, as bad actors “unreasonably” raise the prices of essential goods, commodities, or services despite the action being illegal in Tennessee.
Tennesseans who suspect price gouging activity are encouraged to submit a report to the Division of Consumer Affairs at 615-741-4737 or submit a complaint online.
Skrmetti’s office is also warning Tennesseans of charity scams in wake of the storm, urging people to research and check with the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office if the charity is licensed in the Volunteer State.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
