With a winter storm forecasted to bring snow, sleet, and freezing rain to South Carolina, Attorney General Alan Wilson has issued guidance for residents on how to avoid scams related to tree removal and cleanup after severe weather.
The Attorney General’s Office is working with the South Carolina Department of Insurance and the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs to inform the public about safe practices when hiring arborists or contractors following storms. Residents are encouraged to verify credentials by asking for proof of International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification and checking that both general liability and workers’ compensation insurance policies are active by contacting insurers directly.
Wilson warns against hiring unqualified operators who often appear before or after storms. He advises consumers to be cautious with crews traveling from out-of-state and recommends prioritizing established local companies. All agreements should be in writing, specifying the scope of work, cleanup procedures, and final costs. Payment should not be made in full until the job is complete and satisfactory.
Residents are also advised not to sign documents assigning their insurance benefits to contractors or agree to “free inspections” that could lead to unnecessary repairs. Checking references and online reviews is recommended.
For proactive care before storms, officials suggest having trees assessed by professionals for signs of decay or weakness, removing hazardous branches, avoiding harmful pruning methods like “topping,” installing support systems where needed, prohibiting climbing spikes on trees not being removed, and clearing debris around trees.
Homeowners should document their trees with date-stamped photos before storm season—especially after maintenance—and keep all reports and invoices for insurance purposes.
The South Carolina Department of Insurance encourages consumers seeking guidance on insurance issues related to storm damage to contact its Office of Consumer Services at 803-737-6180 or visit doi.sc.gov.
The Department of Consumer Affairs highlights additional precautions when selecting contractors: watch out for unsolicited door-to-door offers demanding cash deposits; promises that repairs will cost nothing out-of-pocket; aggressive sales tactics; use of inadequate equipment; or requests for signatures on digital devices without review. The department provides resources such as Recovering from a Disaster and Beware of Disaster Scams booklets for further information.
Attorney General Wilson emphasized the importance of these steps: “Before a storm, proactive tree management reduces risk, but it is crucial to protect yourself from unqualified, ‘fly-by-night’ operators who often emerge before or after severe weather. Key consumer protections include verifying ISA certification, ensuring liability insurance is active, obtaining written contracts, and refusing high-pressure, door-to-door, or up-front payment scams.”
