SALT LAKE CITY — The Dollar Ridge Fire has burned 56,734 acres of land in Duchesne and Wasatch counties since sparking two and a half weeks ago.

Though fire crews have worked around the clock to fight the blaze which is now at 85 percent containment, some Dollar Ridge residents will be returning home to ashes Tuesday.

While rebuilding a home can be a difficult process in and of itself, businesses that try to take advantage of those recovering from a disaster can make the experience even worse. In 2017, U.S. consumers filed more than 5,000 combined complaints with the Better Business Bureau against both remodel and repair contractors, as well as general contractors.

Here are six ways to avoid scams while rebuilding your home after a fire (or any natural disaster), according to the Better Business Bureau:

Watch out for ‘storm chasers’ and home improvement scams

If you’re recovering from a natural disaster, you may witness a surge of “storm chasers” who are out to make money off your misfortune. Be wary if someone:

• Arrives unannounced without identification
• Offers a “too good to be true” deal
• Uses high-pressure sales tactics
• Claims they just finished a job down the street and has left-over materials
• Doesn’t have a permanent place of business
• Claims to be FEMA-certified
• Asks for personal information like bank account or Social Security numbers

  Home improvement scams are in the top 10 most risky scams, according to the BBB Risk Index. Find out more information here. Check with your insurance

Call your insurance provider as soon as possible to ask them about policy coverage and specific filing requirements, the Better Business Bureau suggests. Take pictures of the damage and save receipts, including those for food, temporary lodging or other expenses that may actually be covered under your policy.

Take your time

Though you probably want things to go back to normal as soon as possible, don’t feel pressure to make decisions right away — especially if they’ll have a lasting impact on your life.

Proactively search for a business that can help you repair your home and ignore sales solicitations. Make temporary repairs and don’t worry about hiring the first contractor that comes along.

Make sure your contractor is licensed

You can check to see if your contractor is licensed on Utah’s Department of Professional Licensing website. You can also ask for your contractor’s proof of insurance and verify that.

Never pay in full up front

Instead of paying the full amount at the beginning of a job, split up the payments and schedule the last payment to be paid after the work is complete and you have inspected it. Don’t pay cash either. Make sure you write a check out to a company or use a credit card.

If you still have issues with a contractor, file a complaint

Even if, despite your best efforts, you still have an issue with your contractor, you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org/complain. You can also contact Utah’s Department of Professional Licensing. To report a scam, visit the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker.

Editor's note: The content of this article was taken from a press release sent out by the Better Business Bureau. This is not information gathered by KSL.com reporters.

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