Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have warned that after a disaster, scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals often attempt to take advantage of disaster survivors. Federal and state emergency management officials are urging New York 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, officials warned.

 

They said common post-disaster fraud practices include the following:

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. Officials advise residents to always ask to see an 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 may use phone calls, text messages, and emails. Inspectors can and will use any contact information the applicants provided on their applications.

 

There may be occasions when a FEMA representative has to contact an applicant to verify personal data. Applicants should request a FEMA identification number (or FEMA registration number) from the caller. If an applicant is unsure of the caller’s identification or is suspicious of callers who say they are a housing inspector sent by FEMA, he or she can call the FEMA Hotline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time.

 

Phony Government Workers

Applicants 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 approved by the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance is available at 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 applicants, not to respond to unsolicited emails, to watch out for pushy telemarketers and to look out for fake charities that sound real due to the use of similar sounding names. For more information about avoiding charitable giving scams, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website at 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 at 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 the contractors are licensed, and obtain 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
•  https://www.ny.gov/agencies/division-consumer-protection
•  https://dos.ny.gov/file-consumer-complaint