Just in time for spring! New tag for "storm chasers"

[Warren Faidley]

(Mods... don't think was discussed before?)

I found this very interesting article in a Google News Alert.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/03/storm_chasers.html

Just don't call yourself a "storm chaser" in Missouri!

Cheers:

Warren

 

[Dennis Sherrod]

Attorney General Jay Nixon of Missouri has obviously put a blemish on the legitimate title of Storm Chaser for anyone who would read this article from this national consumer affairs web group. I would dare say he has probably made reference to this in other areas than just this one site.
If you want, send him an email expressing your feelings of calling con artists and theives; "Storm Chasers"
Here is his email address:

[email protected]

 

[Laura Duchesne]

I don't understand how Nixon can get off calling those cons "storm chasers". Do the cons themselves advertise as chasers that want to help out the people or what? If the attorney has a problem with chasers, calling us cons is not the way to do it. I find it insulting to all chasers really. We try to help out people, "a la Greensburg" and the money from the Storms of 200x DVDs gets donated to the victims. We send in reports and tell locals that storms are on the way and should keep an eye out... those people appreciate all of our efforts. There is always some rotten apple in the crowd that tries to ruin everything. It is unfortunate that these cons are doing this, but I strongly doubt they are chasers. They are, what I would call scam artists.

 

[fplowman]

I don't understand how Nixon can get off calling those cons "storm chasers". Do the cons themselves advertise as chasers that want to help out the people or what? If the attorney has a problem with chasers, calling us cons is not the way to do it. I find it insulting to all chasers really. We try to help out people, "a la Greensburg" and the money from the Storms of 200x DVDs gets donated to the victims. We send in reports and tell locals that storms are on the way and should keep an eye out... those people appreciate all of our efforts. There is always some rotten apple in the crowd that tries to ruin everything. It is unfortunate that these cons are doing this, but I strongly doubt they are chasers. They are, what I would call scam artists.

Laura,

Reading your post I think your confused.

Jay Nixon is calling gypsy type construction workers who follow storms around, offer to do work, take deposits and skip town "Storm Chasers".

Has nothing to so with stormchasers in our sense.

 

[Joey Ketcham]

I read the article, it's not anything that I would be upset about. I'm sure most people know the difference between storm chasers, as in us, and some con artist who follows damaging storms offering help and then runs off with money.

 

[Sean Mullen]

I'm sure the A.G. was not thinking of us when he used that term to describe these guys; it's a variation of the term "ambulance chaser" that's used to describe unscrupulous lawyers who solicit accident victims.

Keep the faith
Sean

 

[David Drummond]

The term "storm chasers" for the guys that "chase" the aftermath of storms looking to cash in on the repair business has been around for a long time. I have heard it in reference to that many times. This isn't new to this guy.

 

[Laura Duchesne]

Oh I see, I think I understand better now... thanks for the clarification. I honestly never heard of this type of scam before... it is sad that people stoop to these levels; the victims have been through so much as it is.

 

[Chris Sokol]

I understand what he is trying to say, but it does come off in a bad way. If nothing else, a note to him just to ask that he use a different term in the future would not hurt.

 

[cdcollura]

KARMA = Watch Out! Be Good!

Good day all...

I know someone, and he died of cancer years ago after a long battle that started in 1993. In that time, his wife left him, his family did not want him around anymore, just one bad luck / horiffic thing after another, abeit his mortal suffering.

Sad right? Well, not really ... Read on...

Back in 1992, working as a camper / RV salesman (any "car" dealer terms, a "shark"), he took advantage of desparate victims in southern Dade county (FL) after hurricane Andrew's 160 MPH+ wrath in August of that year.

He had several "spare" demo RV / Camper units and he was told he could be used for donation (temporary) for those in desparate need.

He charged $1,500 per week, three customers snapped up 3 of the RV's right away, two had it for a month, and the other for 3 months (do the math, guys) ;-(

If I was him, and they were spares, I would have done it for free - But I have a heart, many others don't.

The fourth camper was deemed "too expensive", but later in March of 1993, after a powerful squall line blasted FL, a victim in a hard-hit town on FL west coast used that unit, for 4 months (this a bit cheaper at **only** $1,000 a week).

This guy was a real "flaunt it around" and "I make more than you" kind of person, typical of Palm Beach and Miami, FL with a snooty attitude and $$ eye pupils ... Typical greying middle aged fly-by-night willy that can have any woman (or anything) at any cost. I always argued with him myself, as he was a friend of one of my ex G/Fs she worked with.

Eventually, someone reported this dude to the better business bureau. He never got busted, made his money, and sold the used (spare) campers after they were finished being "rented".

He got away with it (or so he thought), went on a long vacation (Europe) with his money. He thought he had made a buck off of someone elses "misfortune" which is just wrong ... Well, the better business bureau / his ripped-off customers may have been fooled, but GOD was not.

Later in 1993, he started having pains, thinking it was a simple tummy ache ... Turned out he had cancer, which already spread through his body. The stress on his side was un-bearable. His family and friends drifted away from him as he was so stressed about his impending slow death and health problems.

His medical bills took care of his unfair "riches", and then some, many times over. By 1995, he was single, and sick as a dog. In 1999, he passed away, with absolutely nothing in his name. His kids had to pick up any unpaid "tabs" as he had no will or money.

Lessons learned: K-A-R-M-A

Screw someone who needs your help (aka "Money's the root of all evil") ... If you get away with it in your life, you just might pay after all ... with God's little helping "hand" ;-)

I am sure each of those "roofers" from hell will eventually die of Cancer / AIDS (or something like that) ... So they better watch themselves! God is watching, and you can't hid from him and you can't fool him!

 

[Dave Gallaher]

I think the AG is using 'chaser' similarly to 'ambulance chaser.'

 

[Dennis Sherrod]

I received a reply from the AG's Office in Missouri today about their use of the terminology "Storm Chasers" referring to the criminal element versus what our work is. It appears maybe they may revise their use of this wording in the future. (Hopefully)
Here below is their reply:

Dear Mr. Sherrod:
Thank you for contacting us. I used to work in TV news, so I am familiar with and appreciate the services of storm chasers like you who want to help, not hurt, people. It is unfortunate that this phrase is used in two such contrasting contexts: one describing a group of people trying to serve the public and enhance education about severe storms as you do, and one describing con artists who try to cheat the very people you are trying to educate and help.
Having said that, we do appreciate your concerns and will take them into account for future news releases we do about storm-related scams.

Travis Ford
Consumer Education Coordinator
Office of Attorney General Jay Nixon
573-751-5272 direct
573-751-5818 fax
[email protected]

 

[Dave Gallaher]

Glad to see you got a response from the office, Dennis. Perhaps we need to put up our own term for parasitic types who follow bad weather.

My initial nominees would be 'storm scum' or 'wx ticks.'

 

[Dennis Sherrod]

Glad to see you got a response from the office, Dennis. Perhaps we need to put up our own term for parasitic types who follow bad weather.

My initial nominees would be 'storm scum' or 'wx ticks.'

Yeah Dave, I was impressed that they responded so quickly and positively.

And I agree with our own terms for these miscreants. My favorite for years has been a mixture that I devised. "SCRUM" This is a combination of scum, bum, and dumb. But your nominees are very fitting also.

 

[Darin Brunin]

I am sure each of those "roofers" from hell will eventually die of Cancer / AIDS (or something like that) ... So they better watch themselves! God is watching, and you can't hid from him and you can't fool him!

Do you really think that's how life works? There are innocent people who die all of the time in any way you could ever imagine that wouldn't harm a bug. Just because someone dies, doesn't mean in any way, shape, or form that 'god' is striking them down. I would be willing to bet that one or more of the people he scammed has died from cancer or some related illnesses.

I'll put my money down on pure coincidence.