National Center for Disaster Fraud: Toll Free Hotline: (866) 720-5721 | disaster@leo.gov
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - In the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida encourages Floridians to be mindful of the potential for fraud in disaster situations and report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF).
The Department of Justice established the NCDF in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when billions of dollars in federal disaster relief poured into the Gulf Coast region, which opened opportunities for criminals to exploit people during vulnerable times. The NCDF, a national coordinating agency within the Department’s Criminal Division, operates a call center at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and serves as a centralized clearinghouse for disaster fraud complaints and information relating to both natural and man-made disasters. The NCDF seeks to improve and further the detection, prevention, investigation, and prosecution of fraud related to natural and man-made disasters, and to advocate for victims of such fraud. More than 20 federal, state, and local agencies participate in the NCDF, which allows them to forward on complaints to the appropriate agency for investigation.
Contact the National Disaster Fraud Hotline toll free by phone at (866) 720-5721, by fax at (225) 334-4707, or by e-mail at disaster@leo.gov. The telephone line is staffed by live operators 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Learn more about the NCDF at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud.
Christopher P. Canova, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, said: “Fraudsters will use every available opportunity, including the chaos and suffering caused by disasters, for their own gain. Hurricane Michael has destroyed many areas in the Florida Panhandle, and North Floridians are now in great need. My office works with the NCDF and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to prosecute individuals who exploit the charitable spirit of Americans or claim disaster assistance to which they are not entitled."
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida has developed a disaster fraud public service announcement, available in web, high definition, video, and audio versions that we encourage you to watch and share: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLrVFSSpvfg.
Since Hurricane Michael’s landfall, many people are left without food, water, or shelter, and are experiencing devastating damage to life and property. Unfortunately, criminals are ready to take advantage of victims before, during, and especially after a natural disaster. They are looking to strike those at their most vulnerable time.
While compassion, assistance, and solidarity are generally prevalent in the aftermath of natural disasters, unscrupulous individuals and organizations also use these tragic events to take advantage of those in need. Examples of illegal activity being reported to the NCDF and law enforcement include:
* Impersonation of federal law enforcement officials;
* Identity theft;
* Fraudulent submission of claims to insurance companies and the federal government;
* Fraudulent activity related to solicitations for donations and charitable giving;
* Fraudulent activity related to individuals and organizations promising high investment returns from profits from recovery and cleanup efforts;
* Price gouging;
* Contractor fraud;
* Debris removal fraud; and
* Theft, looting, and other violent crime.
The public should apply a critical eye and exercise due diligence before trusting anyone purporting to be working on behalf of disaster victims. They should also exercise the same care before giving contributions to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of disaster victims and be extremely cautious before providing personal identifying or financial information to anyone, especially those who may contact you after a natural disaster. Solicitations can originate from e-mails, websites, door-to-door collections, mailings and telephone calls, and similar methods. People who suspect fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement involving disaster relief operations, or believe they have been the victim of fraud from a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of disaster victims are encouraged to call the Center.
Numerous U.S. Attorney Offices in districts impacted by recent hurricanes have established task forces comprised of local, state and federal agencies in their respective areas to combat disaster fraud.
Tips for the public to avoid being victimized by fraud:
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/tips-avoiding-fraudulent-charitable-contribution-schemes
http://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/3219C144FC1BEC3885258323006C2D43
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
