Friday, August 17, 2012
OKLAHOMA CITY– Homeowners dealing with storm damage, fire damage or renovations can learn how to protect themselves from fraud at a free forum hosted by the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) and the National Center for the Prevention of Home Improvement Fraud (NCPHIF).
“Unfortunately, Oklahoma is very familiar with rebuilding after a disaster,” said Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak. “Every time we have a storm or wildfire, we see these fly-by-night guys come in and take advantage of people who are already going through a very difficult time. We need to do all we can to protect Oklahoma consumers.”
The consumer protection forum will address several issues related to home repair including: how to hire a contractor, how to check out a contractor, what should be in a contract, how the building permit process works, why you need a lien release and more.
“Disaster/storm victims are especially vulnerable to contractor fraud,” said Phae Howard, a home repair fraud prevention expert and Executive Director of NCPHIF. “After a disaster hits, predatory contractors take advantage of stressed-out and uninformed homeowners, making them victims, twice.”
The forum is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 24th at the Northwest Library, 5600 NW 122nd St., Oklahoma City. Interested parties are encouraged to preregister by sending an email to rsvp@ncphif.orgor call (855) 2-NOFRAUD.
About the Oklahoma Insurance Department
The Oklahoma Insurance Department, an agency of the State of Oklahoma, is responsible for the education and protection of the insurance-buying public and for oversight of the insurance industry in the state.
About NCPHIF: The National Center for the Prevention of Home Improvement Fraud is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. NCPHIF’s mission is to inform, educate and coach homeowners on how to protect themselves from becoming victims of home repair/improvement contractor fraud and scams. To learn more about NCPHIF, visit www.preventcontractorfraud.org.
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For more information contact:
Brian King
(405) 521-4525
brian.king@oid.ok.gov