Stay Alert: NICB Warns Illinois Residents of Contractor Fraud After Tornadoes
On June 10, 2026, tornadoes wrought significant damage in Alsip, Illinois, amidst a series of severe weather incidents. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has issued a warning to Illinois property owners to stay alert against contractor fraud during the ongoing recovery efforts from these destructive weather events in northern Illinois.
The advisory follows a derecho on June 10, which brought wind speeds of up to 85 mph, leading to widespread damage, according to the National Weather Service. Recovery efforts were further hampered by several tornadoes, strong winds, and heavy rainfall impacting the Chicago area and surrounding regions the next day.
This year, Illinois has seen 140 tornadoes, greatly exceeding the average annual count of 54. The surge in tornado activity heightens fraud concerns, as scam artists often prey on property owners needing urgent repairs after such disasters. Fraudulent schemes frequently involve misleading offers for services like roof repairs, debris removal, water damage restoration, and other recovery-related work.
"After destructive storms, most families and businesses want to start the recovery process as soon as possible," stated David Glawe, NICB President and CEO. "This is when home and business owners must be most vigilant, as fraudsters use this opportunity to swoop in."
Property owners are advised to contact their insurance carriers before commencing any repairs and to carefully scrutinize contractor credentials. Potential red flags include unsolicited offers post-storm, false claims of insurance company partnerships, aggressive sales tactics, upfront cash payment requests, full payments before work begins, and offers to waive insurance deductibles.
The NICB recommends obtaining multiple repair estimates, verifying contractor references, and ensuring all project details are clearly outlined in a written contract before starting work. To aid in fraud prevention and detection following severe weather events, the NICB partners closely with law enforcement and insurance companies.