x
Breaking News
More () »

City Of Fort Smith Warns About Home And Hail Repair Scams

FORT SMITH (KFSM)—A local woman believes she was the target of a home repair scam following last month’s hail storms. Dottie Smith said a woman with a construct...

FORT SMITH (KFSM)—A local woman believes she was the target of a home repair scam following last month’s hail storms.

Dottie Smith said a woman with a construction company out of Tulsa knocked on her door asking if she could check for hail damage on her roof. Smith said the worker came back with a large sheet of her roof.

“She told me the roof on top was badly damaged, and it had gone down to the next layer and both layers needed to be torn off,” Smith said.

Smith said she then signed a contingency agreement, which she admits she didn’t read thoroughly.

“My understanding was that I had signed a paper saying they had come out and checked my roof,” Smith said. "I didn’t think about the fact that I had signed anything that I would have them do the job or anything.”

Smith said after looking at the agreement closer, she started to see more red flags.

“What I don`t understand is these people came from Oklahoma,” she said. “They don`t think Arkansas has roofers?”

She said she also watched the hailstorm on her home surveillance cameras.

“I just can`t possibly see how there can be damage like that,” she said. “It just doesn`t even make sense.”

Thanks to her insurance agent’s concern, Smith said she ultimately got out of the agreement she signed.

“I think her big mistake was when she called my insurance man because he really got riled up,” Smith said.

5NEWS has reached out to the company who looked at Smith's roof, but we haven't heard back from them yet.

Meanwhile, Smith's insurance company is sending someone out next week to determine if there really is damage to her roof that needs fixing.

Here are a few tips from the City of Fort Smith to keep in mind before you hire a contractor.

You’re asked to call the following city offices if you have any questions.

  • City Collections Department: 479-784-2254
  • City Building (Code Enforcement) Department: 479-784-2206
  • Fort Smith Police Department: 479-709-5141

Before You Leave, Check This Out