Hailstorm Aftermath. BBB Advises Storm Victims to be on the Lookout for “Storm Chasers”
April 20, 2026 – Tyler, TX – A severe hailstorm swept through East Texas on Saturday, causing damage to many homes and vehicles. East Texans are no strangers to storm damage, but that does make us targets for fly-by-night contractors looking to take advantage of storm victims.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises residents to watch out for storm chasers who show up unannounced, offer to repair storm damage for a low price, require advance payment and make big promises on which they have no intention of delivering. BBB reminds consumers to be on the lookout for dishonest individuals looking to take advantage of storm victims.
“Encountering high winds, thunderstorms and the occasional tornado are a part of living in East Texas,” said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President & CEO of BBB East Texas. “That means it is important to be wary of fly-by-night repair businesses who are ready to pounce on storm victims as soon as the weather breaks.”
BBB offers the following advice to homeowners before hiring a contractor:
Vet the contractor carefully. Verify the business meets all state and local requirements. Make sure all licenses are current, if applicable. Go to bbb.org to find trustworthy contractors in your area.
Contact your insurance company. Ask about your policy coverage and specific filing requirements. Save all receipts, including food, temporary lodging, or other expenses which may be covered under your policy.
Seek at least three bids. Shop around and get at least three quotes from different businesses. Make sure all bids consider the same set of criteria. Remember that the lowest bid may not necessarily be the best bid.
Resist high pressure sales. Be proactive in selecting a contractor and not reactive to sales calls on the phone or door-to-door pitches. Disaster victims should never feel forced to make a hasty decision or to choose an unknown contractor.
Get everything in writing. Always get estimates in writing and never let any work begin without a signed contract. Never sign an incomplete or partially blank contract.
Be wary regarding places you can’t see. While most contractors abide by the law, use caution when allowing someone you do not know to inspect your roof and other areas of your house. An unethical contractor may create damage to get work done. The same goes for attics, crawl spaces, ducts and other places you cannot easily access or see for yourself.
Never pay for work in full in advance. A good guideline is to pay by the rule of thirds: pay one-third deposit, one-third when the job is 50% complete, and one-third once the job is completed.
Hire locally whenever possible. If the company is not from the area, they may be less likely to come back and make a repair should you find something they missed. While this is not the case in all situations, it is something to consider when choosing a company to work with.
Remember, great businesses are out there. Always look for the BBB seal; it’s the Sign of a Better BusinessSM. Start with companies you can trust by going to bbb.org. To report fraudulent activity or unscrupulous business practices, please call BBB at (903)581-5704 or use BBB Scam Tracker.
ABOUT BBB®: The Better Business Bureau has empowered people to find businesses, brands, and charities they can trust for over 110 years. In 2025, people turned to BBB more than 250 million times for BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.3 million businesses and Charity Reports on about 25,000 charities, all available for free at BBB.org. The International Association of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for the local, independent BBBs in the United States and Canada. BBB Central East Texas opened their Tyler office in 1985 and serves 19 counties in East Texas.
BBBs are private, self-regulatory agencies that seek the voluntary cooperation of business. When illegal practices are uncovered and the business refuses to cooperate with the BBB, the matter is referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Also, BBBs have close working relationships with governmental agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission, with consumer protection agencies, and the State Attorneys General.