ST. CLAIR COUNTY DISASTER SURVIVORS: BE ALERT TO FRAUD AFTER A
DISASTER
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20250121/st-clair-county-disaster-survivors-be-alert-fraud-after-disaster]


Release Date: 
Octobre 28, 2022 

After a disaster, scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals
may attempt to prey on survivors. The most common post-disaster fraud
practices include phony housing inspectors, fraudulent building
contractors, bogus pleas for disaster donations and fake offers of
state or federal aid.

Survivors should keep in mind:

 	* Federal and state workers never ask for or accept money and always
carry photo-ID badges.
 	* There is NO FEE required to apply for or to get disaster
assistance from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration or the
state.
 	* Scam attempts can be made over the phone, by mail or email, text,
or in person.

FEMA encourages survivors to be especially vigilant for these common
post-disaster fraud practices:

	* Fraudulent building contractors 

	* 

 	* Use only licensed local contractors backed by reliable references.
 	* Use only contractors who carry general liability insurance and
workers’ compensation.
 	* Don’t pay more than half the costs of repairs upfront.

	* Bogus pleas for post-disaster donations 

 	* Verify legitimate solicitations by asking for the charity’s
exact name, street address, phone number and webpage.
 	* Call the charity and confirm that the person asking for funds is a
genuine employee or volunteer.
 	* Don’t pay donations with cash.
 	* Request a receipt with the charity’s name, street address and
phone number.

	* Fake offers of state or federal aid 

 	* Beware of visits, telephone calls or emails – claiming to be
from FEMA or the State of Illinois – asking for your Social Security
number, bank account number or other sensitive information.
 	* Avoid scam artists who promise a disaster grant and ask for large
cash deposits or advance payments in full.
 	* Federal and state workers will _never_ ask for or accept money or
charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in
filling out applications.

If you suspect fraud, you are encouraged to call the toll-free
Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or the Illinois Attorney
General’s fraud hotline at 1-800-243-0618, Línea Gratuita en
Español 1-866-310-8398. Complaints also may be made by contacting
local law enforcement agencies.

For disaster updates from FEMA, follow @FEMAregion5
[https://twitter.com/femaregion5] on Twitter, and turn on mobile
notifications. Visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4676
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4676].

For disaster updates from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency
(IEMA), follow @ReadyIllinois on Twitter
[https://twitter.com/ReadyIllinois], Facebook
[https://www.facebook.com/ReadyIllinois] and Instagram
[https://www.instagram.com/readyillinois/] and turn on mobile
notifications. http://www.illinois.gov/iema/ continues to be a go-to,
single source to help Illinois residents easily find information and
disaster-related resources.