Is that roof replacement text a scam?

Common roof text scams

• "Your address qualifies for a free roof replacement program."
• "Hail was detected at your address. Your insurance will cover a new roof. Tap to schedule."
• "Final notice: your storm claim window closes today."
• Shortened links that lead to forms asking for your insurer, policy number, or date of birth.

Some of these are phishing for personal information. Others sell your details to contractors, or lead to a door visit where you are pushed to sign a contingency agreement or an assignment of your insurance benefits. Georgia's SB 201 makes it an unfair practice for a contractor to take an assignment of a homeowner's insurance proceeds within one year of a declared natural disaster, so a request like that is a warning sign by itself.

What to do with the text

• Do not reply, tap links, or call numbers in the message.
• Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM) to report them to your mobile carrier, and report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Delete the message once reported.

Was there really a storm?

Hail does hit North Georgia often, and a scam text can coincide with a real storm. You can check the hail history for your zip code for free at North Georgia Hail Map, then call a local roofer you chose for an inspection with photos. For how to vet that roofer, see how to choose a roofing contractor in Georgia, and for what hail actually does to shingles, see Georgia hail season.