Scam warning for tornado victims

SPRINGFIELD. Mass. (WWLP) - Springfield is warning victims of tornado damage to be wary of scam artists, with promises of repair work.

The city's office of consumer protection warns to check any contractor’s license.

You can do that on Mass.gov/consumer , or call the city.

They say never to pay up front, pay in thirds, at the beginning middle, and after the work is done.

They also say never to pull your own permit, and city officials are affecting scammers to hit now, that clean-up is well underway.

Milagros Johnson, of Springfield Consumer Protection, said "There are going to be some scam artists out there, they're going to be trying to take consumers money without performing any work, they're going to be pretending and portraying licensed contractors when in fact their not even a handyman."

Again the city says you can call their consumer hotline, (888) 283-3757 or check state information at Mass.gov/consumer .