As residents begin to rebuild following the Aspen Acres Fire, the Custer County Sheriff’s Office is warning the community to watch for contractor fraud. Sheriff Rich Smith took to social media to share red flags residents should watch for when hiring contractors.
Those red flags are; high-pressure sales tactics, demands of full payment upfront, no written contract, requests to sign over insurance checks and no local references.
The sheriff offered steps residents can take to protect themselves; get at least three written bids, never pay 100% upfront, get everything in writing, verify permits before work begins and pay by check or card and keep receipts.
