RICHMOND – Attorney General Jerry Kilgore today warned Virginia consumers against fraud schemes or price gouging as residents brace for the landfall of Hurricane Isabel later this week. Kilgore cautioned residents to beware of scams involving home improvement or repair in the wake of the storm, bogus solicitations for relief charities, or artificially high prices for necessary items at retail stores.

"We are hopeful that Virginia will avoid the damage that has accompanied other similar storms in the past," Kilgore said. "Should Isabel be as forceful as some forecasters predict, however, our citizens will have enough to deal with without having to suffer at the hands of con artists and unscrupulous merchants. It is a sad fact that some people will use natural disasters as opportunities to prey on unsuspecting victims."

One of the most common scams following a major storm involves promises of home improvement or repair of damage. Questionable contractors often take money without doing work, do work of poor quality, or add extra costs during the completion of the job. To avoid such scams: work with a contractor you know; check references; get repair agreements in writing; don’t pay large sums in advance and don’t make final payment until work is done to your satisfaction.

Telemarketers may contact residents and solicit money for various charities or relief organizations once the storm has passed through Virginia. Some tips to follow to avoid being taken by fraudulent telemarketing calls: don’t give credit card or checking account numbers to anyone over the phone unless you have previously done business with the company; get details in writing; give only to disaster relief charities you know are reliable; beware of "copy-cat" names that sound like reputable charities. Consumers may also want to check out organizations by contacting the Virginia Office of Consumer Affairs at (804) 786-2042 or (800) 552-9963.

Unfortunately, some unethical companies will attempt to take advantage of disaster victims by charging exorbitant prices for products or services that victims have little choice to purchase (e.g., plywood, water pumps, fuels). Consumers are encouraged to comparison shop when possible.

Virginia consumers who believe they have detected some form of the activity listed above are encouraged to contact the Office of Attorney General at (804) 786-2071.