Beware Of Scam Offers To Help Get Disaster Aid
Release Date: September 27, 2004
Release Number: 1558-016
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Charleston, W. Va.-- If someone calls and asks for your bank account number or PIN number to get or increase your ability to get Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance, please do not give out such information, federal and state recovery officials said today.
“There are no fees for FEMA assistance and anyone who claims to be able to assist you for a fee may be committing fraud,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Lou Botta of FEMA.
“However, when you call us at 1-800-621-3362 to register for assistance, certain financial information will be asked of you to assist us in determining possible disaster aid. If you would like electronic transfer of the aid, we will need that information,” Botta said.
“The warning here is for calls made to you. We will not call for such information. Do not fall victim to such a scam. If possible get the person’s name, company name, phone number and mailing address. Usually, they will not give it,” Botta said.
State Coordinating Officer Steve Kappa of the West Virginia Office of Emergency Offices said; “Please contact the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office for Consumer Protection toll free at 1-800-368-8808 if you get such an approach. We want to nip this scam in the bud.”
“Whatever you do, do not give your bank account number, your PIN number or other financial information a confidence person could use to access your money,” Kappa said. “Do not be victimized twice by this disaster.”
Again, there is no fee for FEMA assistance. Anyone saying that they can increase your ability to get FEMA assistance is wrong and trying to abuse your trust.
FEMA and state disaster assistance is based on inspections. An inspector will call you to make an appointment to verify your losses. The inspector will have a federal ID, normally a badge. Again there is no fee for this assistance. Please ask to see the inspector’s federal ID.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 28-Sep-2004 09:55:25