The Better Business Bureau has put out an alert regarding snow removal companies.

If you’re going to hire a snow plow contractor, you have many great, reputable options to choose from, but you run the risk of getting scammed if you don’t do your research.

The warning released by the BBB suggests that you exercise caution and beware of bad business practices when dealing with snow removal companies. One alert from 2018 even led to criminal charges against one of these companies. Because of the unfortunate frequency of these crimes, the BBB suggests you follow several guidelines when shopping for snow removal services:

• Shop around. The BBB suggests you get at least three estimates before moving forward if you want to ensure you don’t get ripped off.
• Ask for all costs upfront to avoid surprises.
• Review the contract. Look out for hidden fees like cancellation fees and extra charges
• Ask about scheduling before hiring.
• Split the fees into a few separate payments for a seasonal contract. If they push you to pay for a whole season upfront, that’s a red flag.
• Check with the BBB. If a company has been reported before, you can find out on their website and avoid becoming another victim.

If you’ve been ripped off or scammed by a snow removal service before, you can contact the BBB and they’ll add it to their scam tracker. In some cases, you can also contact the Federal Trade Commission. In any case, reporting a sketchy snow removal service to the appropriate authorities and watchdogs can help others avoid getting scammed.