After weather-related disasterslike the devastating fires that devastated California and the devastating flooding in Kentucky and other statesscammers emerge from the woodwork. Like usual, they’re after your money as well as your private information. However, after an incident, those trying to recover become the prime target.
If you’re eligible for federal assistance to build or repair your home, you’re trying to find an entity to clean up the debris, or trying to donate to the people who’ve suffered the most, here are a few methods to identify frauds in the recovery process.
- Be wary of any company offering immediate repair and cleanup. Some might quote exorbitant prices and demand upfront payment or have no experience required.
- Go through them. Before you pay to purchase, you must obtain IDs, licenses and evidence of insurance. Do not believe any guarantees that aren’t written.
- Don’t pay via wire transfer or gift card or in cash. Scammers will request these types of payment because once they’ve taken the funds, it’s nearly impossible to retrieve the money back. Never pay the last installment until you’ve completed the task and you’re completely satisfied.
- Protect your personal information. Only fraudsters will claim to be an official of the government and then demand cash or credit card details or bank account your Social Security number.
- Be aware that FEMA does not charge fees for applications. If you’re approached by someone who wants to help you apply for FEMA money, it’s likely an ad hominem scam.
- Beware of rent listing frauds . Steer away from people who ask you to wire money or request to pay security deposit or rental until you’ve signed or met with the lease.
- Find out about charity scams involving disasters. Scammers will often attempt to make quick money by profiting from the misery of other people. Take a look at the FTC’s guidelines on giving wisely and staying clear of fraud in charities.
Are you concerned about a scam? Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
When am paying bills online, and person I can barely understand,
I always tell them, I don’t have anything against them or there country.
But I don’t trust people from
India
Black
White
Mexican
Chinese
Who ever, cause I almost fell for big scam,and I wouldn’t even thought it was scam, Til website looked like it was copied.
I wish there were people help protect against people like these Criminals .
Or even track them down and break there kneecaps.