FEMA AND MEMA WARN DISASTER SURVIVORS: BEWARE OF FRAUD ATTEMPTS
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20230831/fema-and-mema-warn-disaster-survivors-beware-fraud-attempts]


Release Date: 
八月 31, 2023 

MADISON, MISS. – FEMA and the Mississippi Emergency Management
Agency (MEMA) warn disaster survivors that fraud attempts often
increase during recovery from natural disasters like the June
tornadoes.

Residents of Jackson and Jasper counties should be aware that con
artists may try to steal personal information. In some cases, they may
try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social
Security numbers they have stolen from survivors.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN, AND WHAT PEOPLE CAN DO

	* People claiming to be FEMA housing inspectors or otherwise claiming
they work for FEMA may call you or visit your home. Do NOT give out
personal information or banking information. FEMA inspectors already
have your FEMA application number. They are not authorized to collect
personal financial information.
	* If a FEMA inspector calls, and you did not submit a FEMA
application, your information may have been used to create a FEMA
application. Please tell the inspector you did not apply for FEMA
assistance. The inspector will submit a request to stop processing of
the application.
	* If you receive a letter from FEMA, and you did not apply for
assistance, please call the FEMA helpline at 
800-621-3362. FEMA will stop processing the application.

REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY AND FRAUD ATTEMPTS

If you suspect fraudulent activity involving FEMA, you can report it
to the FEMA Fraud Branch by email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov, by fax:
(202) 212-4926, or by mail: FEMA Fraud and Internal Investigation
Division, 400 C Street SW Mail Stop 3005, Washington, DC 20472-3005.

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately
to your local police or sheriff’s department. You also can contact
the Mississippi Attorney General’s office by calling 601-359-3680,
or by filing a consumer complaint online at
https://portal.ago.ms.gov/public/?q=node/403.

OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVES IN THE FIELD

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams, housing inspectors and other
officials are working in the communities impacted by the June
tornadoes. They carry official identification with photos. FEMA and
U.S. Small Business Administration representatives never charge
applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out
applications.

CONTRACTOR FRAUD

FEMA and MEMA also warn survivors to watch out for contractors as they
work to recover. The attached fact sheet has information on how people
can protect themselves.

 

For the latest information on recovery from the June tornadoes, visit
msema.org [https://www.msema.org] and fema.gov/disaster/4727
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4727]. On Twitter follow MEMA @MSEMA
[https://twitter.com/MSEMA]and FEMA Region 4 @femaregion4
[https://twitter.com/femaregion4].