Northeastern Iowans who need repairs done on their flood-damaged homes arewarned to be on the lookout for con artists. Bob Brammer, a spokesman forthe Iowa Attorney General, says you should use contractors you know or have checked out.Brammer says it can save a lot of confusion and perhaps a lot of money toget everything down on paper.Brammer says one of the most important rules to remember in this situationis to never pay out any large sums in advance — as the money and the homerepair contractor may both vanish.Contractors can be checked out before they’re hired by calling the IowaLabor Services Division at (515) 242-5871. For problems, call the AttorneyGeneral’s Consumer Protection Division at (515) 281-5926.
