VIDALIA — Miss-Lou residents should be on the lookout for post-hurricane scams, officials said.

Concordia Parish Sheriff Randy Maxwell said if someone knocks on your door offering tree debris removal or repair work, you should let them know you plan to call the sheriff’s office to have them checked out.

Maxwell advised residents should get a license plate number and a description of the vehicle of the person offering services.

Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins said that to operate within the city limits, a business has to have a business permit.

“I would not purchase services if they do not have that permit,” Mullins said. “It is quite possible they are not legitimate if they cannot produce the permit.”

Mullins also said that a legitimate business should be able to provide references to potential customers.

Likewise, you should be wary of anyone who demands payment up front, Mullins said.

The same thing applies in the unincorporated areas of Adams County, Sheriff Ronnie Brown said.

“If they aren’t licensed or bonded, they shouldn’t work on your house,” Brown said. “If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t good.”

Other things to look out for include:

4A call from someone claiming to be from your bank or credit card provider who says they have lost your information.

Banks have backup systems to protect information, and will not call and ask for personal information like that, Maxwell said.

4Calls from someone claiming to represent a charitable organization formed for hurricane relief.

“Just hang up,” Maxwell said. “The scams will be out there and there will be a lot of them. If you want to donate to something, give to your church or to an organization that you are already familiar with and know to be legitimate.”

4People selling emergency supplies or generators out of the back of trucks.

“Nine times out of ten, these items will be stolen,” Maxwell said. “Once law enforcement officials complete investigations, you’ll end up losing that item that will have to be seized, and you will have already lost your money that you paid for the item.”