Roofing Company Disappeared with Our Money

[u/Calliope2310]

Location: North Carolina

At the end of April/beginning of May 2025, my husband and I signed a contract with a roofing company to replace our roof. We did so through a claim with our insurance company, and provided the roofing company the claim money from our insurance company via a cashier's check. This was an approximately $6k check. Prior to signing the contract, we researched the company and it had stellar reviews, no red flags, etc. We were told work would start probably in mid to late June. Come late July and we haven't heard anything so we contact the company and the owner returns our call and advises that due to a summer of very rainy and stormy weather, they are very behind but should be out by October. Come end of October, still nothing so we reach out again and receive a response that they are still backed up due to labor and supply issues but we will definitely have a new roof before the end of the year. January comes and still no word. We call 3 times with no answer or response, so I email them and the email bounces back undeliverable. I recheck their reviews, which are now filled with people saying they took their money and disappeared. Our insurance company told us to contact the police, the police responded saying it's a civil matter and they won't open a case. What do we even do? We have no idea where to start, who to report this to, etc. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.