After a disaster, scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals may attempt to prey on survivors. The most common post-disaster fraud practices include phony housing inspectors, fraudulent building contractors, bogus pleas for disaster donations and fake offers of state or federal aid.
Survivors should keep in mind:
* Federal and state workers never ask for or accept money and always carry photo-ID badges.
* There is NO FEE required to apply for or to get disaster assistance from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration or the state.
* Scam attempts can be made over the phone, by mail or email, text, or in person.
FEMA encourages survivors to be especially vigilant for these common post-disaster fraud practices:
* Fraudulent building contractors
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*** Use only licensed local contractors backed by reliable references.
*** Use only contractors who carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation.
*** Don’t pay more than half the costs of repairs upfront.
** Bogus pleas for post-disaster donations
*** Verify legitimate solicitations by asking for the charity’s exact name, street address, phone number and webpage.
*** Call the charity and confirm that the person asking for funds is a genuine employee or volunteer.
*** Don’t pay donations with cash.
*** Request a receipt with the charity’s name, street address and phone number.
** Fake offers of state or federal aid
*** Beware of visits, telephone calls or emails - claiming to be from FEMA or the State of Illinois - asking for your Social Security number, bank account number or other sensitive information.
*** Avoid scam artists who promise a disaster grant and ask for large cash deposits or advance payments in full.
*** Federal and state workers will never ask for or accept money or charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications.
If you suspect fraud, you are encouraged to call the toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or the Illinois Attorney General’s fraud hotline at 1-800-243-0618, Línea Gratuita en Español 1-866-310-8398. Complaints also may be made by contacting local law enforcement agencies.
For disaster updates from FEMA, follow @FEMAregion5 on Twitter, and turn on mobile notifications. Visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4676.
For disaster updates from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), follow @ReadyIllinois on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and turn on mobile notifications. http://www.illinois.gov/iema/ continues to be a go-to, single source to help Illinois residents easily find information and disaster-related resources.
Source: Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency
