NEW LEXINGTON — The Ohio Attorney General’s Office has filed a consumer protection lawsuit in Perry County, against a company that it alleges solicited contracts from local residents for storm damage repair, then either failed to do the work, did shoddy work, or abandoned the job before it was finished.
The complaint, filed in May in Perry County Common Pleas Court against Storm Pro Elite, LLC and its out-of-state owners, asks the court to:
• issue a declaratory judgment that the company has violated Ohio’s Consumer Sales Protection Act (CSPA);
• issue an injunction barring the company from continuing the practices alleged in the complaint;
• assess the defendants a civil penalty of up to $25,000 for each violation of the CSPA;
• order them to pay all damages suffered by customers of the company; and
• issue an injunction barring the defendants from doing business in Ohio until they have satisfied any money obligations imposed by the Perry County court or any other Ohio court in connection with a business transaction.
According to the complaint, which as of last week had not yet been answered by the defendants, Storm Pro Elite is owned by two Georgia residents, James R. Harper and Aaron M. Jones. The suit says that after “a significant storm that caused property damage,” Jones traveled to Ohio and solicited home repair business, such as roof and siding replacements, from Ohio residents including some in Perry County.
“Defendants approach consumers’ residences and knock on doors in an attempt to get consumers to enter into contracts for repairs to their homes caused by storm damage,” the suit alleges. It adds that typically consumers had either filed insurance claims for the storm damage, or Storm Pro representatives suggested they should do so. In some cases, the complaint says, Storm Pro would work directly with a customer’s insurance company to make a claim, and then produce a contract based on how much the insurance company was ready to pay.
After signing the contracts and accepting payment, however, the AG alleges, “defendants provided shoddy and substandard home improvement services to customers and then failed to correct such services. In some instances, after receiving payment, defendants began providing the home improvement services, but later abandoned the workplace and failed to complete the work.”
The complaint also alleges that Storm Pro Elite failed to tell its customers that they had the right to cancel the transactions, and to provide them with notice-of-cancellation forms.
In February, following a bout of severe weather, the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio issued a warning against “storm chasers”and out-of-town contractors who may seek to take advantage of homeowners who have suffered storm damage.
“Although not all storm chasers are scammers, they may lack the proper licensing for your area, offer quick fixes, or make big promises they can’t deliver,” BBB President Judy Dollison warned in a news release. “They may come knocking on your door, claiming to be in the area helping with another project, offering quick and seemingly inexpensive solutions. But a consumer is more likely to be swindled out of their cash and left with an even bigger headache.”
BBB offered the following tips for consumers to follow after experiencing storm damage:
Contact the insurance company. Ask about your policy coverage and specific filing requirements. Save all receipts, including those for food, temporary lodging, or other expenses that may be covered under your policy. Your insurance company may also have recommended contractors.
Do your research. Find businesses you can trust on BBB.org. Check your state or local government agency responsible for registering and/or licensing contractors. Get references from friends and relatives.
Resist high-pressure sales. Some storm chasers use tactics such as the “good deal” you’ll get only if you hire the contractor on the spot. Be proactive in selecting a contractor and not reactive to sales calls on the phone or door-to-door pitches. Disaster victims should never feel forced to make a hasty decision or to choose an unknown contractor. Temporary repairs can “buy time” for proper due diligence.
Be especially careful of door-to-door contractors. Many municipalities require a solicitation permit if salespeople go door-to-door. Ask for identification. Check their vehicle for a business name, phone number, and license plates appropriate to your state or province.
Don’t sign over insurance checks to contractors. Get an invoice from the contractor and pay them directly (preferably with a credit card, which offers additional fraud protection over other forms of payment). Don’t sign any documents that give the contractor any rights to your insurance claims. If you have questions, contact your insurance company or agent.
Be wary regarding places you can’t see. While most contractors abide by the law, be careful allowing someone you do not know to inspect your roof and other areas of your house. An unethical contractor may actually create damage to get work. The same goes for attics, crawl spaces, ducts, and other places you cannot easily access or see for yourself.
Email at jphillips@perrytribune.com
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