First responders, such as firefighters, police officers, and EMTs, and medical professionals, are vital members of our community. They selflessly go to work each day and provide essential services that keep our communities a safer place. It's hard, exhausting work, and they sacrifice their time and lives in our time of need to keep the rest of us safe and healthy. There is a lot of information they have and want to share with the public, and that is what this community blog will be about: They are providing essential information to the public. Agencies involved include: Air Evac Lifeteam 39 Brazil Bowling Green Volunteer Fire Department Brazil Police Department Center Point Volunteer Fire Department Clay County Sheriff's Office Dick Johnson Volunteer Fire Department Van Buren Volunteer Fire Department Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita Indiana State Police - Putnamville District (If your agency would like to be involved, please call The Brazil Times at 812-446-2216.)

ISP - Scam Alert Tornado Victims of Possible Scams

Posted Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at 11:35 AM

Indiana State Police Wants to Alert Tornado Victims of Possible Scams

The Putnamville State Police Post and the National Insurance Crime Bureau want to ensure that the Sullivan County residents who were impacted by the tornado, receive legitimate information concerning contractors for cleanup and repair. Should homeowners suspect fraud during the rebuilding process, they should contact their insurer, state, or local law enforcement, and the NICB (1-800-TEL-NICB).

Some tips to avoid contractor fraud, provided by the NICB, include:

Get more than one estimate. Never let a contractor pressure you into hiring them.
Work only with licensed and insured contractors.
Demand references and check them.
Ask to see the salesperson’s driver’s license and write down the driver’s license number and their vehicle’s license plate number.
Get a contract in writing. This should include cost, time schedules, payment schedules, guarantees, work to be done, and other expectations that should be detailed.
Never sign a contract with blanks as these could be filled in later without your knowledge.
Never pay a contractor in full or sign a completion certificate until the work is done and ensure reconstruction is up to current code.

Additionally, below are some useful links to other materials that may be helpful to victims: