SURVIVORS BEWARE! FRAUD, SCAMS FLOURISH AFTER DISASTERS
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210913/survivors-beware-fraud-scams-flourish-after-disasters]


Release Date: 
September 13, 2021 

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — After a disaster, scam artists, identity thieves
and other criminals often attempt to take advantage of disaster
survivors. Federal and state emergency management officials urge
residents to watch for and report any suspicious activity.

When a disaster strikes, unscrupulous people may try to take advantage
of survivors by posing as official disaster-aid workers or even as
relatives trying to help survivors complete their applications.

Common post-disaster fraud practices include:

FAKE OFFERS OF STATE OR FEDERAL AID: Federal and state workers do not
solicit or accept money. FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration
(SBA) personnel never charge applicants for disaster assistance,
inspections or help in completing applications.

PHONY HOUSING INSPECTORS: When a disaster occurs, applicants may be
vulnerable to phony housing inspectors claiming to represent FEMA to
inspect damage. Ask to see the inspector’s identification badge. All
FEMA personnel and contractors will have official laminated photo
identification. Housing inspectors have each applicant’s nine-digit
registration number. FIELD INSPECTORS MAY USE DIFFERENT TYPES OF
COMMUNICATION METHODS TO CONTACT APPLICANTS. INSPECTORS MAY BE CALLING
FROM ISSUED PHONES OR PERSONAL CELL PHONES, SO APPLICANTS MAY RECEIVE
CALLS FROM DIFFERENT AREA CODES. INSPECTORS DO NOT REQUEST MONEY TO
COMPLETE AN INSPECTION. They can use phone calls, text messages, and
emails. INSPECTORS CAN AND WILL USE ANY CONTACT INFORMATION THE
APPLICANT PROVIDED IN THEIR APPLICATION.

There may be occasions when a FEMA representative must contact you to
verify personal data. You should request a FEMA identification number
(or FEMA registration number) from the caller.  If you are unsure of
the caller’s identification or you are suspicious of someone who
says they’re a housing inspector sent by FEMA, call the FEMA Hotline
at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Central Time.

PHONY GOVERNMENT WORKERS: You may be contacted by scam artists posing
as disaster workers who are seeking money for services. Federal,
state, and local disaster workers do not solicit or accept money. Nor
will federal disaster employees promise a disaster grant.

FRAUDULENT CHARITABLE SOLICITATIONS: A list of reputable charities
that are approved by the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving
Alliance is available at Give.Org [https://www.give.org/]. Criminals
exploit survivors by sending fraudulent communications through email
or social media and by creating phony websites designed to solicit
contributions.

The Alliance advises, “do not respond to unsolicited emails, watch
out for pushy telemarketers and look out for fake charities that sound
real by using similar names.” For more information about avoiding
charitable giving scams, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s
website
[https://www.fema.gov/www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts.]_._

RENTAL LISTING SCAMS: The Federal Trade Commission has information on
how rental-listing scams work. For instance, scammers know that
finding the right apartment or vacation rental can be hard work, and a
seemingly good deal is hard to pass up. Learn more
[https://www.fema.gov/ www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0079-rental-listing-scams.] 

BEWARE OF UNLICENSED/UNINSURED CONTRACTORS/PHONY CONTRACTORS: Often
after a disaster, individuals will represent themselves as legitimate
contractors.  Ask for references, be cautious about advanced
payments, make sure they are licensed and obtain the proper permits.

If you have knowledge of fraud, waste, or abuse, you can report these
tips - 24 hours a day, seven days a week - to the FEMA Disaster Fraud
Hotline at 866-720-5721 or email _DISASTER@LEO.GOV_.

If you believe you or a loved one has become a victim of a scam or
identity theft, report it immediately to your local police or
sheriff’s department, or contact the office of the NEW YORK ATTORNEY
GENERAL:

 	* Consumer Protection Hotline, 800-697-1220
 	* Division of Consumer Protection
[https://www.ny.gov/agencies/division-consumer-protection]
 	* File a Consumer Complaint
[https://dos.ny.gov/file-consumer-complaint]

###

_FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after
disasters._

_For referrals to agencies that support community specific need,
contact your nearest 211 counts center at
__https://www.211nys.org/contact-us_
[https://www.211nys.org/contact-us]_.  In NYC call 311 for outlying
area, call 211._

_For official information on the recovery effort following the
hurricane, please visit __https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4615_
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4615]_. Follow us on twitter at__
__twitter.com/femaregion2_ [https://twitter.com/femaregion2]_ __and
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FEMA [http://www.facebook.com/fema]._