Beware the Storm After the Storm: Scammers, Charlatans, and Fraud in Hurricane Helene's Wake
After Hurricane Helene, it's essential to remain vigilant. Scammers and opportunists often flock to disaster zones, looking to exploit the vulnerability of affected homeowners, renters, and even those looking to help.
Common Scams to Watch For:
1. Fake Contractors: Disreputable contractors might knock on your door offering quick repairs. Be wary of anyone demanding cash upfront or refusing to provide licensing and insurance details. Always verify their credentials and get everything in writing.
2. FEMA Impersonators: No one from FEMA will charge you for their services or to "help" you qualify for disaster relief. Scammers posing as FEMA officials might try to steal your money or personal information. Official FEMA resources are free—download their app or visit their website for alerts and assistance.
3. Charity Scams: After disasters, fraudulent charities pop up asking for donations. Only donate to trusted organizations and verify any charity through official sources like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) before giving money.
4. Door-to-Door Scammers: People may show up pretending to be safety inspectors or government officials, asking for money or personal information. Always ask for identification and verify their legitimacy.
Trusted Resources:
FEMA: For disaster assistance, always go through official channels. Visit FEMA for verified resources.
https://www.fema.gov
FTC Consumer Protection: For tips on how to avoid scams and report fraud, check the FTC's page on recovery scams.
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov
BBB: To verify contractors and charities, visit the Better Business Bureau.
https://www.bbb.org
Staying cautious and using official resources will help you avoid falling victim to scammers in this critical time. Keep an eye out for suspicious behavior, and report any scams you encounter to the proper authorities.
In addition to FEMA and the FTC, there are several other trusted government resources where people can seek help or contribute to recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene.
Here’s a rundown of the most reliable options:
1. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance: The SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses, and non-profits to help them recover from disasters. These loans can cover uninsured property losses. Visit SBA Disaster Assistance for more information.
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
2. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): HUD offers disaster recovery assistance for low-income households, such as housing vouchers and grants. More details can be found at HUD's Disaster Recovery Page.
https://www.hud.gov/info/disasterresources
3. The National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF): Managed by the Department of Justice, the NCDF helps people report disaster-related fraud, such as charity scams or contractor fraud. If you suspect fraud, you can report it to NCDF.
https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud
4. American Red Cross (ARC): While not a government entity, the ARC works closely with federal agencies during disasters. You can volunteer or donate through their official site to ensure your contributions go to legitimate efforts. Visit Red Cross Disaster Relief for more.
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services.html
5. Internal Revenue Service (IRS): After a disaster, the IRS provides tax relief for individuals and businesses, including extensions for filing and tax breaks for donations to verified charities. For information on disaster-related tax relief, visit IRS Disaster Assistance.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations
6. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): NOAA provides updates on ongoing storm situations and preparedness tips. Their resources can help communities recover and rebuild more resiliently. Learn more at NOAA's Storm Recovery Resources.
https://www.noaa.gov/prepare
By sticking to these official government channels, you can ensure that you’re accessing or providing legitimate help. For those wishing to volunteer or donate, make sure all contributions go through these trusted avenues to avoid scams.
Here are a few final points
1. Beware of Social Media Scams: You may have noticed suspicious Twitter Charity ads asking for donations, they may be on any social media website!
Scammers will use social media to ask for donations or offer fake assistance.
Avoid clicking on unsolicited links and verify organizations by researching them directly on reputable sites like Charity Navigator or through the FTC’s Charity Scam page.
https://www.charitynavigator.org
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-charity-scams
2. Use Local Government Resources: Use your state's emergency management agency websites.
These agencies provide up-to-date information on local recovery resources, shelter locations, and community relief efforts.
Each state has its own emergency site, but you can start with Ready.gov's State Emergency Contact List to find their state-specific resources.
https://www.ready.gov/get-involved#state-local
3. Report Price Gouging: Unfortunately, price gouging on essentials like water, gas, and building materials can happen after a disaster. The Department of Justice or State Attorney General’s Office should be contacted to report this illegal activity. The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) has information on how to contact the relevant state officials.
https://www.naag.org
4. Volunteer Through Government-Supported Programs: For those who want to help but want to avoid scams, check out government-supported volunteer programs like AmeriCorps and Citizen Corps, which focus on organized disaster relief.
https://www.nationalservice.gov
https://www.ready.gov/citizen-corps
5. Monitor Ongoing Alerts: Download government-approved apps such as the FEMA App or subscribe to local emergency alerts to stay informed about further warnings, road closures, or other post-storm hazards. This will help you to stay connected to legitimate updates and avoid misinformation.
