CASTILIAN SPRINGS, Tenn -- Many of the victims of the tornadoes are just beginning to pick up their lives, but often scammers take advantage of storm victims.

Video: BBB Warns Against Tornado Scammers

Sumner County Sheriff's Department and the Tennessee Highway Patrol said they are stepping up efforts to make sure only residents hit by the tornadoes and appropriate personnel are at the affected areas.

Officers are on constant patrol checking homes for people who haven’t heard from their loved ones and keeping an eye out for looters.

The storms forced dozens of people out of their homes, with personal items strewn across the area. Thieves often look at tornado- affected regions as places of opportunity.

"Earlier today, we were on Governor's Hall Road checking to make sure that anybody who went down that road lived in that area. If somebody just drove up and said they had a friend down there, they had to have that person with them with a valid ID that said they could be in that area," said Lt. Richard Cash of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Troopers are keeping guard at what is left of the Castilian Springs Post Office. The marshal service took the remaining letters and packages from the office but officials said there were more still buried under the destruction.

"If (thieves) get a hold of someone’s bill for a credit card, or something like that… we’re going to make sure nothing like that happens,” said Cash.

So far there are no reports of looting in Castilian Springs, but the Better Business Bureau have received complaints of a possible scam involving traveling repair crews. The thieves offer to help repair a home, get the cash up front and leave.

"(These scammers) do not have the skill, experience or background. They appear to offer you relief, but they’re going to scam you," said Kathleen Callighan of the Better Business Bureau.

The BBB said be aware of repair crews knocking on a resident's door, never pay in advance and always ask for the proper paperwork like a contractor’s license and proof of insurance.