How to avoid scammers after a natural disaster

<p dir="ltr">When people lose their homes to wildfire, hurricanes or flooding, they're eager to rebuild. But scammers are also ready to take advantage. On today’s show, the lucrative business of contractor fraud and advice on how to avoid them. <p dir="ltr"><strong>Related episodes:<br /></strong><a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/06/04/1253616079/an-indicator-lost-big-disaster-costs" target="_blank">An indicator lost: Big disaster costs</a> <br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/06/22/1183854206/when-insurers-cant-get-insurance" target="_blank">When insurers can’t get insurance</a> <br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/09/21/1197954265/selling-safety-in-the-fight-against-wildfires" target="_blank">Selling safety in the fight against wildfires</a> <br /><br /><em>For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at <a href="http://plus.npr.org/" target="_blank">plus.npr.org</a>. Fact-checking by Corey Bridges. Music by <a href="https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Drop Electric</a>. Find us: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney" target="_blank">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money" target="_blank">Newsletter</a>.  </em><br /><br />See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>