{"id":747,"date":"2016-01-27T01:14:37","date_gmt":"2016-01-27T01:14:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pablobeach.shapiroinsurancegroup.com\/?p=747"},"modified":"2019-04-01T17:38:33","modified_gmt":"2019-04-01T17:38:33","slug":"florida-roofing-scams-continue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pablobeach.shapiroinsurancegroup.com\/florida-roofing-scams-continue\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida Roofing Scams Continue"},"content":{"rendered":"

We have recently\u00a0written a lot about the\u00a0Florida roofing scams<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0that continue to plague homeowners.<\/p>\n

We care about our local communities and want to protect our neighbors, friends and clients from these criminals.\u00a0A growing number of individuals are trying to profit from the insurance claims process by convincing unsuspecting homeowners that they need a new roof. Unfortunately, Florida roofing scams continue.<\/p>\n

Tampa Kingpin Arrested!<\/h2>\n

According to\u00a0News Channel 8, Tampa<\/a>, the Florida Statewide Prosecutor alleged that Dunko\u2019s company, NBRC Construction LLC, bilked nearly 100 homeowners and material suppliers in a storm damage insurance scheme that stretched across six Tampa Bay area counties.<\/p>\n

<\/figure>\n
\"Carlton<\/a>Carlton Dewayne Dunko booking photo<\/em>
\n(Courtesy Pinellas County Sheriff\u2019s Office)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dunko\u00a0and his business partner\u00a0were under scrutiny in 11 states and collected as much as $65 million in sales while operating American Shingle. They shut down that Georgia-based company after their 2011 arrests in Macon for \u201ctheft by conversion.\u201d Dunko and Pureber bonded out of the Macon jail and moved to Tampa and were soon back in business with their new company, NBRC. Georgia prosecutors eventually dropped the case.<\/p>\n

American Shingle, and later NBRC, operated as storm chasers. Their sales staff solicited hundreds of homeowners for roof replacements they promised would be paid for by storm insurance. The companies collected checks from insurance claims and either failed to do the work or failed to pay contractors and suppliers for goods and services.<\/p>\n

Dozens of unsuspecting homeowners around the Tampa Bay area ended up with liens on their property and faced foreclosure if they didn\u2019t pay out of their own pockets for roofing work after NBRC kept the insurance claim checks. Dunko\u2019s scheme was so elaborate he bribed several bank tellers to illegally deposit checks into NBRC accounts.<\/p>\n

Although this was a major blow to one of the worst offenders, there are still plenty of people who continue to prey on Florida homeowners.<\/p>\n

How To Prevent This From Happening To You<\/h2>\n

Make sure you take these three steps first in protecting yourself from a roofing insurance scam.<\/p>\n

1<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span>Beware of anyone who solicits your business or tries\u00a0to convince you they can get you something for free.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Don\u2019t sign contracts you don\u2019t fully understand.\u00a0Many companies only require you to sign a work\u00a0authorization form. Any contract that states\u00a0\u201cassignment of benefits\u201d is something that needs\u00a0to be read carefully to fully understand the impact\u00a0on you.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Understand your coverage. Insurance is for sudden\u00a0unexpected events not for normal wear-and-tear.<\/p>\n

Get The Facts<\/h2>\n

If you want to learn more about the details of how this insurance scam works and how to avoid it, then watch the video below. This is part of our #WhiteboardWednesday series aimed at informing Florida homeowners. Hope this helps. If you want to discuss AOB or your current insurance policies, then contact us<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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