Florida Residents: Beware of Fraud, Scams and Price Gouging

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – State and federal recovery officials encourage Florida residents to watch for and report any suspicious activity or potential fraud from scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals who may try to prey on survivors vulnerable due to the recent hurricanes. They should also be on the lookout for price gouging by gas stations, hotels and other businesses serving disaster survivors in Florida.

FEMA encourages survivors to be especially vigilant for these common post-disaster fraud practices:

  • Fraudulent building contractors

  • Use only licensed local contractors backed by reliable references.

  • Demand that contractors carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation.

  • Don’t pay more than half the costs of repairs upfront.

     

  • Bogus pleas for post-disaster donations 

  • Verify legitimate solicitations by asking for the charity’s exact name, street address, phone number and Web address.

  • Phone the charity and confirm that the person asking for funds is a genuine employee or volunteer.

  • Don’t pay donations with cash.

  • Request a receipt with the charity’s name, street address, and phone number.

     

  • Fake offers of state or federal aid

  • Beware of visits, telephone calls or e-mails — claiming to be from FEMA or the State of Florida — asking for your Social Security number, bank account number or other sensitive information.

  • Avoid scam artists who promise a disaster grant and ask for large cash deposits or advance payments in full.

  • Federal and state workers never solicit or accept money or charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications.

Those who question the validity of a contact or suspect fraud are encouraged to call the toll free FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or the Florida Attorney General’s fraud and price gouging hotline at 866-966-7226. Complaints also may be made by contacting local law enforcement agencies.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery visit fema.gov/disaster/4280, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog, floridadisaster.org or #FLRecovers. For imagery, video, graphics and releases, see fema.gov/Hurricane-Matthew.

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Florida Residents: Beware of Fraud, Scams and Price Gouging

Business License, Building Permit: Tools to Protect Against Rip Off Contractors

AURORA, IL –State and federal recovery officials are cautioning Illinoisans to protect themselves against rip off artists posing as contractors as they rebuild and repair from storms and severe flooding of last spring.

Legitimate contractors should have a license, be able to display one at their place of business or to show a copy of one to a prospective customer. Having a website does not necessarily mean one is licensed to do business no matter how professional it appears. Local permit offices can provide consumers important information about how to select a licensed contractor and how to protect themselves from unscrupulous contractors.

But having a license to do business is usually not enough to proceed with the work. A permit from a local or county government is required to begin building and to do extensive repairs. Repairs and building begun without proper permits may be subject to stop work orders, fines and penalties, depending on the local ordinances enforced by communities. Permits assure residents and communities that all proposed work complies with current codes, standards, flood ordinances and recommended construction techniques; they can also serve as a form of protection for the homeowner against an unlicensed or unscrupulous contractor who might offer to do the work without a permit.

Securing the correct local building permit is the homeowner’s responsibility. Those who agree to have their contractors secure permits on their behalf should follow up with building officials to verify. Permits may be required for repairs to roofs, walls, siding, wallboard, plaster, insulation, paneling, cabinets, flooring, electrical wiring, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.

Permits will ensure that the local government knows what work is occurring in their area and that it will be done to their standards.  Residents who make repairs without a permit could find out after the fact that the repairs are not up to local ordinances and they may have to spend more money on additional repairs to their property.

FEMA and IEMA are not permitting agencies and do not authorize rebuilding or repair simply by providing disaster grants, loans or, in FEMA’s case, settling flood-insurance claims. The agencies do not recommend or endorse any contractors, and recovery officials warn people to be wary of any contractors who claim they are authorized by FEMA or IEMA. They are not.

Anyone with knowledge of fraud, waste or abuse may call the FEMA Fraud Hotline at 1-800-323-8603. You may also send an email to DHSOIGHotline@dhs.gov. Complaints may also be made via the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585) or with state or local law enforcement officials or consumer agencies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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Business License, Building Permit: Tools to Protect Against Rip Off Contractors

Call FEMA Hotline to Report Suspicions of Fraud

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Disasters frequently bring out the best in people but sometimes the worst. When fraud occurs, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a responsibility to take action.

People who intentionally defraud the federal government are taking money away from those who truly need disaster assistance. FEMA must ensure that taxpayer dollars go only to people who incurred legitimate losses. This may include prosecuting anyone who makes a fraudulent claim.

Most cases where possible fraud is detected are not deliberate attempts to defraud the government. FEMA recommends survivors receiving disaster assistance awards to keep receipts for at least three years that document how the funds were used.

Anyone with information about individuals who may have defrauded the government in connection with the 2013 spring floods should call the FEMA fraud hotline at 800-323-8603 or email DHSOIGHOTLINE@DHS.GOV. This can include information on contractors, inspectors, disaster survivors or anyone posing as any of these. Complaints also can be made via the FEMA disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) or with state or local law enforcement officials or consumer agencies.

Survivors who feel they have made a mistake in reporting damages or losses should call the FEMA disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s Office of Inspector General routinely audits individuals, local governments and nonprofit organizations that receive FEMA disaster assistance funds. The audits are independent assessments to determine whether recipients spent the funds according to federal regulations and FEMA guidelines. Auditors look at expenditures on ineligible items or instances of duplicate payments from insurance companies or other sources.

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Call FEMA Hotline to Report Suspicions of Fraud