Unfortunately, scammers often take advantage of people right after a crisis, when they know people are vulnerable. If you were impacted during the Redwood Complex Fires, please be cautious.
The Insurance Information Institute says that many of the people who promise to provide services to disaster victims are dishonest. The scammers know that people who have lost everything are not thinking clearly and might be less guarded. If you have suffered a loss during these horrific fires, please don’t make rash decisions.
Instead, the Insurance Information Institute recommends obtaining referrals from reliable sources, and checking with references like the Builders Exchange and the Better Business Bureau before signing a contract.
Here are some simple guidelines to help you:
Don't be rushed into signing a contract with any company. Instead, get multiple written estimates for the proposed job.
Beware of building contractors who encourage expensive temporary repairs. Payments for temporary repairs are covered as part of the total settlement. If you pay for a temporary repair job, you may not have enough money for permanent repairs.
Investigate the track record of anyone you consider hiring. Look for professionals who have a solid reputation in our community. Get references and never give anyone a deposit until you research their background.
A common fraud scheme is to convince a homeowner that a large deposit must be provided before repair work can begin.
Remember, these con artists often seem trustworthy, but once they have your deposit, you’ll never see or hear from them again. Please, protect yourself and do your homework before believing anyone offering to provide you with services.
Veterans Day
Saturday is Veterans Day, and it is important that we pause and remember the millions of men and women who have selflessly served our nation. We can do this by thanking each veteran we know, and we can do this by caring for the veterans who struggle physically or emotionally. After their deployments, many veterans arrive home suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a dangerous disease that, if left untreated, can lead to depression, homelessness, or even suicide.
The constant anxiety and other psychological effects caused by the disorder can make it extremely tough to hold a job to support themselves and their families. Sometimes veterans try to manage the symptoms by turning to drugs or alcohol. Every year, the constant torment from PTSD leads thousands of veterans to take their own lives. It’s estimated that 22 veterans commit suicide every day—that’s one every 65 minutes. A big part of the problem comes from not seeking help for their mental health issues.
It’s important to know there’s help available through a crisis line sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This confidential, toll-free service connects veterans and those who love them with responders trained to help. Veterans, their families, and friends can call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 to talk on the phone. They can also communicate via text by sending a message to 838255, or chat online at http://veteranscrisisline.net.
Here in Ukiah, the VA Clinic at 630 Kings Court is an excellent resource for our veterans. The Ukiah VA offers quality outpatient health care services for veterans, and the staff encourages veterans returning home from military service to visit their center and enroll—even if they don’t currently need services. Their phone number is 707-468-7700.
This Veteran’s Day, I encourage you to find a way to thank the heroes who have given us the precious gift of freedom. Our veterans deserve our thanks, a handshake, and a few minutes of our gratitude for their service. Nothing means more than heartfelt appreciation.
To all of our armed service heroes–Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marines–thank you. You have given us a gift we can never repay.
Happy Birthday, Marines – Semper Fi.
As always, our mission at UPD is simple: to make Ukiah as safe as possible. If you have suggestions on how we can improve please feel free to call me. If you would like to know more about crime in your neighborhood, you can sign up for telephone, cell phone and email notifications by clicking the Nixle button on our website: www.ukiahpolice.com.
