State warns of contractor scams as Hurricane Isaias approaches

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WBRC/Gray News) - The Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board is warning homeowners about the potential for scams, fraud and price gouging during storm cleanup, repair and rebuilding as Hurricane Isaias threatens the Gulf Coast and central Alabama.The board is urging residents to be cautious when hiring anyone to repair storm damage or purchase needed items.Emergency proclamation triggers felony lawGov. Kay Ivey issued an emergency proclamation Wednesday covering dozens of counties ahead of the potential hurricane landfall, including Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Butler, Chambers, Chilton, Clarke, Choctaw, Coffee, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Dallas, Elmore, Escambia, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Washington and Wilcox counties.The proclamation triggers consumer protection laws, including the Aggravated Home Repair Fr