After the flood, beware the scammers.

Laura Adams, an insurance analyst with InsuranceQuotes.com, a consumer advocacy website focusing on insurance issues, warns that there are plenty of unscrupulous contractor out to make a quick buck on tragedy.

“When we’re talking about working with contractors after a storm, when we’re talking about house repairs, one of the main things we see is people paying for repair upfront before they really have the go-ahead from an insurance company,” Adams said. “That can be something that may seem like the right thing to do.”

Adams said some small, temporary fixes to prevent further damage might be the right thing to do, but paying for the whole fix upfront without consulting with the insurance company is usually a mistake. Paying first sets up consumers for shoddy work or a quick exit—and no refunds.

“You don’t want to do expensive, permanent repairs until you’ve had an adjuster come out to inspect the property and you get the go ahead from the insurance company,” she said.

She also pointed out that insurance adjusters are experts and they can help steer you away from contractors hoping to upsell consumers on repairs that are not needed.

“Be very wary about paying for repairs up front,” she said. “But if you do pay for repairs up front, even if you have an OK from the insurance company, you want to make as small a down payment as possible. If it’s more than 10, 15 or 20 percent, you’re probably paying too much. As a consumer you want to hold back as much of that payment as possible. You want to make sure that you are OK with the final results.”

Generally, Adams said consumers will want to work local, when possible. Or, at the very least, consumers should want to work with someone who is licensed to do business in Texas.

“Make sure they’re local and they have a state license and are registered and make sure they have their own insurance. If you can speak with customers who have done business with them, that can help you. The Better Business Bureau is also good about keeping a database of people who have done scams, you can go to the state department of licensure or the state department of insurance and you can see if the contractor has had complaints filed against them.”

Finally, Adams said if the worst happens and someone is scammed—or if they feel scammed—consumers need to go to the police department.

“If you feel threatened in any way or if you are sure you’ve been scammed by a contractor then you should report them to the police,” she said.

Adams also urged residents to watch out for their neighbors—especially elderly neighbors.

“Unfortunately these storms bring in a lot of unsavory people who will take advantage of consumers who are at a very vulnerable point in their lives,” she said. “Elderly people may be especially vulnerable at this time. So look out for yourself and look out for your neighbor.”