Dear friends,
Hurricane season is something we are all too familiar with here in Florida, and Monday marks the beginning of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Each year, I hope to take this opportunity to remind Floridians of the importance of developing a disaster safety plan. As we finish out National Hurricane Preparedness Week, don’t forget to include protecting yourself from unlicensed activity as part of your hurricane season preparation.
Florida has a heightened risk for storm damage during hurricane season and it’s crucial that you all know how to protect yourselves from unlicensed activity scams following a storm. Verifying the state-issued license of a professional with DBPR is one of the best ways to protect your safety and financial wellbeing after a storm or other natural disaster hits, and DBPR is here to make it easier for you to be proactive.
During hurricane season, Florida often has an influx of unlicensed contractors throughout the state who take advantage of the large amounts of repair work in areas with storm damage. This hurricane season, remember that even if a contractor is licensed in another state, they are still required to obtain a state license from DBPR to perform construction services on your home or business. If you suspect unlicensed activity is taking place, you can report it to DBPR by calling the Unlicensed Activity Hotline at 1.866.532.1440, emailing [email protected] or using the ‘Report Unlicensed Activity’ feature on the free DBPR Mobile app. The app is available for free download in the iTunes and Google Play app stores.
Hurricanes can take enough of a toll on you. Don’t let this hurricane season turn into a financial disaster for you and your family by falling victim to an unlicensed activity scam. Remember to always verify the state-issued license of a contractor before you hire or sign any contracts.
Sincerely,
Ken Lawson
Secretary
Department of Business and
Professional Regulation