Need repairs after Whatcom County flooding damage? Beware of contractor fraud
Whatcom County residents impacted by flooding are being encouraged to remain vigilant during recovery efforts before committing to home contracting services that could be fraudulent.
“Four years ago, this was a huge deal,” Everson Mayor John Perry told The Bellingham Herald. “We had a large amount of contractors from out of area who came up. I dealt with fraud experiences from a lot of people.”
Perry said bad actors will use disaster opportunities to prey on victims who are in need of services. Some demand unreasonably large payments up front, insisting it’s needed for purchasing materials. Others are even licensed contractors taking advantage of the situation by significantly up-charging homeowners.
“After the 2021 floods, one person was charged $5,000 for temporary heat that should have only cost a few hundred dollars. We had one resident with $24,000 of charges and nothing was done to their house,” Perry said.
Perry said the city of Everson is encouraging residents to work with reputable, local companies. It’s important to check their references, especially if they are going door-to-door, he said.
“Get several quotes. Don’t just take the first person that shows up at your door,” Perry said.
Whatcom Strong, formally known as the Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group, is a nonprofit that formed after the devastating 2021 floods that impacted many of the same residents. The group, led by former Sumas Mayor Kyle Christensen, is assisting in recovery efforts, including helping folks navigate potentially fraudulent contractors.
“Any time a disaster happens like this flood, you get a lot of contractors that will see an opportunity to come up and make some money,” Christensen told The Herald. “That’s really when fraud happens.”
Christensen said their group reminds homeowners of the importance of slowing down and asking for help before sending any money.
“We offer that first line of defense. Check with us before you sign anything so we can make sure you’re in a good place and making a wise choice with support,” Christensen said.
Christensen said these frauds can completely devastate families trying to recover. Once the insurance money is gone, there’s no getting it back.
“A lot of these contractors look good on paper and even show reviews. You just can’t trust any of that. But people just don’t know, and that’s what makes them vulnerable,” Christensen said.
Whatcom Strong is able to offer counseling about what a reasonable, industry-standard bid might look like, Christensen said.
Homeowners looking for assistance are encouraged to visit whatcomstrong.com for help.
This story was originally published December 17, 2025 at 5:20 AM.
