The massive flooding in northeast Missouri will surely be followed by a massive campaign by con artists to scam those flood victims. AG Nixon put out a consumer alert with the warnings.

It could be price gouging: for example, people need pumps, generators, bottled water, etc, and merchants start jacking up the prices, simply to take advantage of the dire need.

It could be home repair scams: for example, a carpet, siding or cleaning contractor comes knocking on doors soliciting business in a flood-damaged neighborhood. He collects $2000 to do a job, then disappears.

Take a look at the consumer alert for our best advice on avoiding and reporting these problems.