NEWARK
– As residents recover from this weekend’s
flooding and wind storm, Attorney General
Paula T. Dow today cautioned consumers to
beware of price gouging and home repair
work offered by unregistered contractors.
Once
a state of emergency has been declared,
it is illegal for anyone to sell merchandise
or services needed because of the state
of emergency for more than 10% above normal
selling price. A state of emergency was
declared throughout New Jersey on March
14.
“We
will not tolerate anyone who attempts to
illegally profit during residents’
time of need,” Attorney General Dow
said. “Any excessive markups for chainsaws,
pumps or other materials needed as people
work to recover from the weekend’s
devastating storm should be reported to
the Division of Consumer Affairs.”
“The
widespread damage caused by this storm means
lots of homeowners will be seeking repairs.
Residents should be cautious and check with
the Division to make sure that the companies
they hire are properly licensed or registered
to do the work,” said Sharon Joyce,
Acting Director of the Division of Consumer
Affairs.
A
searchable database of all registered Home
Improvement Contractors is located on the
Division’s web site at www.nj.gov/oag/ca/HIC
. Consumers also can enter a town name and
generate a list of all registered Home Improvement
Contractors located in that community. Tree
removal firms, if not licensed by the Department
of Environmental Protection, should be registered
as a Home Improvement Contractor.
Consumers
also can call the Division toll-free within
New Jersey at 1-800-242-5846
(or from anywhere at 973-504-6200)
and inquire whether a contractor is registered
and if any consumer complaints have been
filed against the contractor.
Electricians,
plumbers and landscape architects are licensed
separately by the Division and are not required
to be licensed as Home Improvement Contractors
if they are working within the scope of
their profession.
Consumers
can file complaints about alleged price
gouging or violations of the Contractors’
Registration Act or Consumer Fraud Act at
www.nj.gov/oag/ca/ocp/ocpform.htm
or by calling the Division at the telephone
numbers listed above.
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