Residents who have been victims of property damage from recent storms that swept through the Midwest should be cautious of scams from people disguised as contractors.

Dreama Jensen, area director of Better Business Bureau serving northern Indiana, said many of those defrauders may not have a proper license for the area of local residents and may offer quick fixes.

The BBB offers the following tips for victims:

• Contact your local licensing office and verify information on contractors.

• Be careful if allowing someone to inspect your roof.

• Get three to four quotes from contractors and insist payments be made to a company.

• Do not pay for a job in advance.