FEMA Warns Disaster Victims to Be Wary Of Fraud
Release Date: October 29, 2005
Release Number: 1603-126
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), along with the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the Attorney General, Charles Foti, cautions victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita of the many scams targeting them. In the wake of natural disasters, it is not uncommon for victims to be taken unaware by someone claiming to be an official disaster aid worker or a neighbor wanting to help complete disaster aid applications.
"FEMA is dedicated to helping the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita avoid fraud," said Scott Wells, deputy federal coordinating officer. "It is shameful during a time when so many are offering their generosity to those who have suffered some would choose to take advantage of disaster victims."
Louisiana residents need to be aware of some common ploys, such as phone calls from people claiming to be with FEMA. Typically, residents are asked if they have registered with FEMA for disaster assistance. If it is confirmed they have registered, the caller will ask for a Social Security number and income information. The caller may then ask for a checking account number and bank routing information. Giving out this type of information is enough for an unscrupulous person to make a false claim for disaster assistance as well as to commit identity theft.
FEMA is instructing disaster victims to ask any callers claiming to be with the agency to give their personal identification number from their badge. If disaster victims feel uncomfortable with providing information to callers claiming to be a FEMA representative, they should immediately call FEMA at 1-800- 621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 to answer any questions or to complete their application. Disaster victims are strongly cautioned against using non-FEMA or federal government Internet sites and toll-free numbers when providing personal and financial information.
Disaster victims should be leery of anyone they do not know offering to help by filling out disaster assistance documents. Citizens should not give personal or financial information to a "good Samaritan" wanting to help. For example, a disaster victim may allow a neighbor to fill out forms for disaster assistance. By doing so, the neighbor could easily give his or her own checking account number and routing information to wrongly receive disaster assistance.
FEMA encourages anyone who believes she or he may have witnessed fraudulent activity to report it immediately through the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General's Hurricane Fraud Hotline 1-866-720-5721. Residents who feel that they have been a victim of fraud may also contact the State Attorney General Consumer Protection line at 1-800-351-4889, or log to www.ag.state.la.us for more information.
Last Modified: Monday, 31-Oct-2005 09:14:36