{"id":132369,"date":"2026-08-16T21:31:40","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T01:31:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=132369"},"modified":"2026-08-17T09:46:58","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T13:46:58","slug":"indiana-attorney-general-todd-rokita-warns-of-storm-flooding-scammers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2026\/08\/16\/indiana-attorney-general-todd-rokita-warns-of-storm-flooding-scammers\/","title":{"rendered":"Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita warns of storm\/flooding scammers"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is urging all Hoosiers to remain vigilant against scammers exploiting the damage from the recent severe weather and flooding.<\/p>\n

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News release from Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office:<\/p>\n

Attorney General Todd Rokita warns of scammers targeting weary Hoosiers following damaging storms, flooding<\/strong><\/p>\n

Indianapolis, Indiana (August 16, 2026) – In the wake of recent severe storms, a powerful derecho and widespread flooding across Indiana, Attorney General Todd Rokita is urging all Hoosiers to remain vigilant against scammers exploiting the damage.<\/p>\n

Fraudsters are already circulating in affected neighborhoods, including door-to-door salesmen in places like Griffith who falsely claim \u201cFEMA will pay for all of this.\u201d At this early stage, such a broad sweeping and confident assertion that the government or someone else will foot the bill is something that consumers should be on the lookout for and leery of. <\/p>\n

\u201cThousands of Hoosiers are assessing damage and beginning the hard work of rebuilding,\u201d Attorney General Rokita said. \u201cThese fraudsters prey on people at their most vulnerable. Do your homework, be tenacious, demand everything in writing, and make sure your resources go to legitimate recovery\u2014not into the pockets of con artists.\u201d <\/p>\n

Scammers often arrive quickly after disasters and take advantage of the chaos and uncertainty that many Hoosiers are feeling right now. They may pressure homeowners to sign contracts on the spot in order to preserve their spot in line, claim a local list of licensed contractors has not yet been updated to include them, or assert that a home is unsafe and needs immediate (and expensive) work. Some offer to \u201cmanage\u201d the insurance claim so the homeowner \u201cdoesn\u2019t have to worry.\u201d Others promise to waive deductibles, give referral discounts that reduce the deductible, or perform work for \u201cwhatever insurance pays.\u201d <\/p>\n

Indiana law protects homeowners. Under the Home Improvement Contracts Act, contracts for residential repairs or improvements exceeding $150 must be in writing and include, at a minimum: <\/p>\n