Special Agents Monitor for False Disaster Assistance Claims
Release Date: October 26, 2005
Release Number: 1604-094
» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina
JACKSON, Miss. - Special agents from at least 10 federal agencies have been sent to investigate fraudulent claims of damage from Hurricane Katrina, the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said today.
"With nearly 500,000 requests for aid in Mississippi, it's inevitable that there will be some people looking to take advantage of the situation," said Nick Russo, deputy federal coordinating officer for the Katrina recovery. "But trying to defraud the government is a felony. Prison time and a heavy fine are very real possibilities."
Some complaints already called in include allegations that applicants are using false names or fictitious addresses; claiming non-existent losses or losses to someone else's property; misusing FEMA grants; receiving duplicate payments from FEMA and insurance companies; and stealing FEMA checks.
"We want the benefits of our programs to go to the real hurricane victims, not people who try to cheat the system," said Robert Latham, executive director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).
Anyone who suspects fraudulent activity can report it - anonymously if they wish - on the Hurricane Relief Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721, open 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Fraud can also be reported to the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-382-4357 or (TTY) 1-202-326-2502. The last number is not toll-free.
Reports of fraud can also be mailed to the Office of the Inspector General, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20472.
Last Modified: Thursday, 27-Oct-2005 16:29:29