FBI
on the Ground Following Katrina
As water
gushed into New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina, the FBI
began pouring people and resources into the beleaguered city.
Within days, we had nearly 500 special agents and staff from
all over the country on the ground who were part of a coordinated
federal effort, working with state and local authorities to
help rein in the chaos and rescue those still stranded.
Read
more about the FBI's response to the disaster
Read
more about the FBI Disaster Squad's role in identifying victims
Hurricane
Katrina Fraud Task Force
The
FBI has partnered with the Justice Department, Federal Trade
Commission, and other government agencies to form the Hurricane
Katrina Fraud Task Force, led by Assistant Attorney General
Alice Fisher, which is addressing all of the frauds that have
resulted from the hurricane.
Links:
Press
Release, Department
of Justice special report, DOJ
Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force Page
Charitable
Phishing, Spoofing Alerts
Fake
Charity Websites, Emails
The
FBI is seeing an influx of websites soliciting for charitable
donations to aid the victims of the latest natural disaster,
Hurricane Katrina. Consistent with previous guidance on incidents
of phishing/spoofing and identity theft, when considering
online options for providing funding to this relief effort,
consumers should consider the following:
- Do
not respond to any unsolicited (SPAM) incoming emails.
- To
ensure contributions to U.S. based non-profit organizations
are used for intended purposes, go directly to recognized
charities and aid organization's websites, as opposed to
following a link to another site.
- Attempt
to verify the legitimacy of non-profit organizations by
utilizing various Internet-based resources which may assist
in confirming the existence of the organization, as well
as its non-profit status.
- Be
leery of emails claiming to show pictures of the disaster
areas in attached files, as the files may contain viruses.
Only open attachments from known senders.
Several
variations of this scam are currently in circulation. Be aware,
scammers will attempt to capitalize on the popularity of the
relief efforts along the Gulf coast. If you have received
a fraud, or similar e-mail, please file a complaint at www.ic3.gov.
Fake
Spam E-mail Allegedly Seeking Donations for the Red Cross
The
FBI has become aware of a spam email soliciting $5 donations
that purports to be coming from support2@redcross.org, with
the subject line of “American Redcross Help Needed!
Katrina relief.” The email provides a link to click
and enter credit/debit card information for the $5 contribution.
The link appears to go to the RedCross.org website. However,
the link actually sends one to a non-affiliated collection
site of http://pro-solutions2.com/cgi-bin/register.pl. THIS
EMAIL IS A HOAX. DO NOT FOLLOW THE PROVIDED LINK. Be cautious
when responding to requests or special offers delivered through
unsolicited email:
-
Guard your account information carefully.
-
Keep
a list of all you credit cards and account information
along with the card issuer’s contact information.
If your monthly statement looks suspicious or you lose
your card(s) contact the issuer immediately.
-
To
ensure contributions to U.S. based non-profit organizations
are received and used for intended purposes, go directly
to recognized charities and aid organizations’
websites, as opposed to following links provided in
emails.
If
you have received this, or a similar hoax, please file a complaint
at www.ic3.gov
Links:
FBI Cyber
Exec Warns of Online Schemers Exploiting Katrina Tragedy
| Phony Pilot
Busted for Katrina Fraud | Hurricane
Katrina Fraud: Do You Pass the Test?
Nigerian
419 Scheme
The
FBI has become aware of spam emails crafted in the style of
a Nigerian 419 schemes, exploiting the loss of lives attributable
to Hurricane Katrina disaster. The email continues with instructions
on how the recipient can claim money left behind, in an overseas
bank account, by the next of kin. In some instances, in exchange
for helping to move the funds, a portion of the inheritance
is purported to be donated to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
One version of the scam actually states family members have
died in both the Thailand Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. THESE
EMAILS ARE A HOAX. DO NOT RESPOND. Other disasters Nigerian
419 schemes have attempted to capitalize on include: London
Bombings; September 11, 2001; and various airplane crashes.
When opening emails from unknown authors, please consider
the following:
- Be
skeptical of individuals representing themselves as Nigerian
or foreign government officials asking for your help in
placing large sums of money.
- Do
not believe the promise of large sums of money for your
cooperation.
- Guard
your account information carefully.
- To
ensure contributions to U.S. based non-profit organizations
are received and used for intended purposes, go directly
to recognized charities and aid organizations’ websites,
as opposed to relying on others to make the donation on
your behalf. If you have received this, or similar hoax,
please file a complaint at www.ic3.gov.
Insurance
Fraud
The
FBI has teamed up with the National Insurance Crime Bureau
(NICB) to target individuals attempting to defraud people
whose homes and businesses have been damaged by Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita. If you believe you have been approached
by a suspect contractor or adjustor or have been encouraged
to fabricate an insurance claim, contact your insurance company
or call the NICB hotline at 1-800-TEL-NICB (1-800-835-6422).
For more information regarding insurance fraud, visit the
following websites: the National
Insurance Crime Bureau, the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners, and the Coalition
Against Insurance Fraud.
Link:
Hurricane Repair
Scams: Don't Get Taken by the "Big Fix"
On September
15, the FBI launched a tip line, 1-800-CALL FBI or 1-800-225-5324,
to collect information and complaints of public corruption
and government fraud, in connection with the Hurricane Katrina
aftermath. Information related to these matters can be provided
toll-free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These lines
are manned by FBI personnel and the information collected
is analyzed, investigated, and shared with our state, local,
and federal law enforcement personnel.
Link:
Press Release
Missing
and Found Children
The
U.S. Department of Justice is working with the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
to help reunite families separated by Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita. Go to the site to view photos of children looking
for their parents and see photos of missing children. If you
have or need any information, call NCMEC's Katrina/Rita Missing
Persons hot line at 1-888-544-5475.
FBI
Background Checks
The
FBI has obtained the authority to provide states with access
to the FBI criminal history database for the purpose of conducting
background checks on any volunteer, relief worker, or evacuee
associated with Hurricane Katrina who would have access to
children. The FBI is waiving its $24 fee that is normally
charged for fingerprint-based checks relating to employment,
licensing, and suitability. This limited authority expires
on November 7, 2005 and requires a state or federal statute
authorizing a fingerprint-based criminal history background
check for individuals with access to children.