Avoid Contractor Scams After a Wildfire
How Colorado property owners can slow down, verify recovery vendors, and avoid high-pressure contractor, charity, and insurance-claim scams after wildfire damage.
Direct Answer
Avoid wildfire recovery scams by refusing pressure tactics, verifying the business, requiring a written scope and proof of insurance, checking references, coordinating with your insurer, and reporting suspicious conduct to Colorado consumer-protection resources.
This guidance supports restoration decisions. For evacuation, shelter, road, air-quality, water-safety, insurance-coverage, or legal questions, use the official sources and licensed professionals linked on this page.
Watch for pressure tactics
Disaster areas attract urgent offers. Some are legitimate, but pressure to sign immediately is a warning sign.
- Be cautious with door-to-door promises after evacuation or re-entry.
- Do not pay large cash deposits or full payment before work starts.
- Do not pay cash-only invoices or hand over blank checks.
- Do not sign blank scopes, vague authorization forms, or contracts you cannot keep.
Verify before work starts
A good contractor should be able to explain the scope, safety approach, insurance coordination, and payment structure in writing.
- Ask for company address, license information, insurance certificate, and references.
- Match emergency mitigation work to documented damage.
- Confirm who is doing the work and who is supervising subcontractors.
- Do not let a contractor promise to waive your deductible or guarantee claim results.
Protect personal and claim information
Scams can also target charity donations, identity information, insurance proceeds, and government-assistance claims.
- Use official donation links.
- Do not provide Social Security or bank details to unsolicited callers.
- Do not let a contractor act as a public adjuster unless they are licensed for that role.
- Report suspected scams through official Colorado complaint channels.
Before you sign
Keep the checklist with your photos, claim notes, and contractor scopes.
- Written scope of work.
- Written price or estimate basis.
- Proof of insurance.
- License or registration details where applicable.
- Start date, payment schedule, cancellation language, and warranty terms.
- No deductible-waiver promise, claim guarantee, or pressure deadline.
- No blank spaces in the contract.
- Your own copy before work begins.
Related Recovery Pages
Continue with the related service, area, and consumer-resource pages that match the damage type.
Choose a Wildfire Restoration Contractor
Verification, scope, payment, and documentation checklist.
Open pageContractor Deposits and Red Flags
What not to pay and what not to sign after a wildfire.
Open pageQuestions to Ask a Contractor
A practical question list before claim money moves.
Open pageDORA Home and Repair Consumer Protection
Colorado home-repair consumer guidance.
Open pageColorado AG Complaint Center
Report suspected consumer fraud.
Open pageStop Fraud Colorado
Learn common scam warning signs.
Open pageAspen Acres Fire Recovery Hub
Official-resource-first recovery pages.
Open pageFrequently Asked Questions
Is a contractor allowed to talk to my insurance company?
A contractor can share estimates and documentation if you authorize it, but they should not claim guaranteed coverage or replace the role of your insurer, public adjuster, or attorney.
What is a red flag after a wildfire?
High-pressure signing, no written scope, no proof of insurance, vague company identity, large cash deposit demands, and guaranteed claim promises are major warning signs.
Where can I report a suspected scam?
Use the Colorado Attorney General complaint center and Stop Fraud Colorado resources. If there is immediate danger or theft, contact law enforcement.
Need a restoration scope after wildfire damage?
Top Gun can help document and scope fire, smoke, ash, contents, and water damage once official access is allowed.