Scammers targeting tornado victims, insurance bureau says

Residents whose homesor cars were damaged by the violent winds and tornadoes that ripped through eastern Ontario and western Quebec Friday are being cautioned be on the lookout for another threat: scammers.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) issued the warning Tuesday following reports of unscrupulous contractors and tow truck operators going door to door in tornado-affected areas in the days following the Sept. 21 storm.

These areindividuals just looking to profit from someone's misfortune.-PeteKarageorgos, Insurance Bureau of Canada

"We have heard from folks on the ground that there are somescammersout there looking to take advantage of this disaster andpeople's misfortune," saidPeteKarageorgos, the bureau's director of consumer and industry relations.

Karageorgossaid in one case, an IBC investigator came across a scam involving a damaged vehicle.

"The tow truck operator got into the affected area,knocked on someone's door and claimed they were there on behalf of their insurance company to take away their damaged vehicle," Karageorgos said. "That wasn't the case, and when the insurance company went toretrieve the vehicle on behalf of the customer, they were provided with an exorbitant storage charge."

The fact that many homeowners have never had to deal with clearing fallen trees is also causing concern, Karageorgossaid.

"We have had some tremendously high quotes for the removal of trees from properties. These areindividuals just looking to profit from someone's misfortune."

No complaints yet: police

Tuesday's warning follows on the heels ofpotentially fraudulent online fundraising campaigns which have sprung up since the tornadoes hit.

The IBC's warning was included in the City of Ottawa's daily update on the tornado relief efforts.

The city recommends residents contact their insurance company about any authorized cleanup work, and report any suspected fraud to police.

As of Wednesday morning, Ottawa police saidthey'd yet to receive a complaint from anyone claiming to have been scammedas part of the storm cleanup.

While Karageorgossaid he understands the temptation to accept an offer of immediate help, he's urging homeowners to check with theirinsurance adjusterevery step of the way. Adjusters often have a list of pre-approved contractors ready to assist, he said.