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Scam Artists Attempt To Prey On Disaster Survivors

TRENTON, N.J. – Fraud and scams are age-old issues that surface in the aftermath of any disaster. Using old and new methods, scam artists seek to obtain vital information or take advantage of survivors focused on recovery.

New Jersey residents need to be on alert. Some of the most common scams after a disaster include:

Home Repair Scams

Unregistered home improvement contractors may take the disaster survivor’s money and disappear, leaving unfinished work and unsafe homes. Before hiring a contractor, the survivor should check with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846 to make sure the contractor is registered, as well as ask for a copy of the contractor’s liability insurance and verify the policy is valid. All contracts should be in writing, and reviewed before being signed. Full payment should not be made until the work is completed.

The local police department should be notified of suspected fraud.

Price Gouging

Excessive price increases are illegal. Check with the New Jersey Consumer Affairs office at www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov or call 800-242-5846 if you suspect the prices are too high.

Identity Theft

People may pretend to be employed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or other government agencies, such as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) or public utilities. By going door-to-door to storm-damaged homes, or by phone or on the internet, con artists may try to obtain personal information such as Social Security and bank account numbers.

Remember:

A FEMA or SBA shirt or jacket is not absolute proof of someone’s affiliation with these agencies. All authorized FEMA or SBA personnel display a laminated photo identification card, which they are required to wear at all times;
Individuals can register for assistance and follow up on previous applications online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or by web-enabled mobile device at m.FEMA.gov. By phone or 711/VRS, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585.
On any follow-up calls, a FEMA representative would ask only for the last four digits of the applicant’s social security number.

False Payment or Bribe

Imposters may ask for some form of service payment, or bribe – something no FEMA, SBA or federal agency employee should ever do. FEMA-contracted housing inspectors assess damage but do not determine cost estimates. FEMA does not hire or endorse specific contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs.

Con artists may pose as insurance specialists or expeditors, claiming they can convince FEMA to increase home repair damage aid or the insurer to pay a larger settlement. The scammers ask the applicant or policyholder to sign a contract giving them a percentage of the “increased” payment. The essence of the con is to take a percentage of the damage grant or policy settlement that would be given anyway. FEMA always deals directly with each applicant and is always willing to consider an appeal by sending a new inspector to review damaged property or claimed losses.

Charity Scams

Before donating, people should investigate to be sure the organization asking for donations is registered to solicit in New Jersey and ask how the money will be used.

For other questions, New Jersey residents can contact the New Jersey Consumer Affairs office at www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov or by calling 800-242-5846.

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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 www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema,

and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Scam Artists Attempt To Prey On Disaster Survivors

FEMA Aids R.I. Renters

WARWICK, R.I. – Help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is not limited only to homeowners. Renters, too, may qualify.

“Hurricane Sandy did not discriminate between homeowners and renters and neither do we,” said Federal Coordinating Officer James N. Russo, who leads FEMA’s mission in Rhode Island. “We want to ensure that all survivors get the assistance they are eligible to receive.”

FEMA offers two kinds of help to renters:

Temporary Housing (a place to live for a limited period of time): If your rental unit was made uninhabitable by the disaster, a FEMA grant can help pay for renting a place to live until you find new permanent housing. FEMA offers free assistance to find a replacement rental property.
Other Needs: Money is available for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster that are not covered by insurance or other programs. Items such as textbooks and computers used for education, professional tools, household furnishings, appliances, disaster-related medical or dental costs and storm damage to vehicles may qualify.

To determine whether you are eligible for assistance, you must register with FEMA no later than January 14, 2013. To register, go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or to m.fema.gov if using a smartphone or call 800-621-FEMA (3362), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Those who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have a speech disability may use TTY 800-462-7585.

To register you will need:

Current and pre-disaster address
Current phone number
Social Security number
Insurance information, if insured
Total household income
Description of losses caused by Hurricane Sandy
Bank account and routing number (for direct deposit of assistance funds)

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for medical and dental expenses, funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov or completed on-line at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

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FEMA Aids R.I. Renters

Federal Disaster Assistance Is for Connecticut Renters, Too

WINDSOR, Conn. — Renters in Connecticut counties whose homes and property were damaged by Hurricane Sandy may be eligible for federal disaster assistance.

“Sandy did not discriminate between homeowners and renters,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis. “We’re here to help everyone who is eligible for assistance, and that definitely includes renters.”

Renters who were displaced from their homes by the storm may be eligible for a FEMA grant to help them pay rent for temporary housing. These rental grants are for a 30-day period, subject to assistance review, until renters’ previous homes are again habitable or they find another home.

There is a free referral service to help applicants find safe, replacement rental property.

Go to: http://go.usa.gov/gKve.

Both renters and homeowners may also be eligible for Other Needs Assistance, designed to help survivors with uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster.

Eligibility for these grants is determined through completing and returning the U.S. Small Business Administration application that many applicants receive after registering for disaster assistance. There is no requirement to take out a loan.

Grants can be used for:

Disaster-related medical and dental expenses;
Replacement or repair of necessary personal property lost or damaged in the disaster, such as room furnishings or appliances, and tools and equipment required by the self-employed for their jobs;
Primary vehicles and approved second vehicles damaged by the disaster; and
Disaster-related funeral and burial expenses.

The deadline to register is Dec. 31. Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or other Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wait for the English message to finish to reach multilingual operators.

Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations does not register survivors for FEMA disaster assistance. Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and covers the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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Federal Disaster Assistance Is for Connecticut Renters, Too

R.I. Disaster Recovery Centers to Close

WARWICK, R.I. – The State-FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in Westerly and Middletown will close permanently on Friday, December 7, at 6 p.m. The Recovery Center in Westerly will transition to a U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Outreach Center starting on Monday. Hours and locations are

Disaster Recovery Center, Middletown Police Station (Community Room), 123 Valley Road, Middletown, R.I. Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. through Friday, December 7. Permanently closed after Friday.
Disaster Recovery Center, Misquamicut Fire Station, 65 Crandall Avenue, Westerly, R.I. Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. through Friday, December 7. Permanently closed after Friday.
S.B.A. Disaster Loan Outreach Center, Misquamicut Fire Station, 65 Crandall Avenue, Westerly, R.I. Opens Monday, December 10. Hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Saturdays and Sundays.

Rhode Islanders affected by Hurricane Sandy do not need to visit a Recovery Center to register for or receive disaster aid. Registration for federal disaster assistance remains open until January 14, 2013.

Register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by calling toll-free 800-621-FEMA (3362). The phone line is open 24 hours a day seven days a week. Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY can call 800-462-7585 directly; or 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service. Rhode Islanders with questions about federal disaster assistance or their registration may call 800-621-3362 and select the “help” option.

The Disaster Recovery Centers are staffed with specialists from various federal, state and local agencies and organizations who can provide information about federal disaster assistance and other recovery programs.

The U.S. Small Business Administration provides low interest disaster recovery loans to homeowners, businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations. Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to cover disaster recovery costs not covered by insurance. Homeowners and renters alike may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace furniture, appliances, cars and clothing damaged or destroyed in the disaster. Businesses of any size and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other assets.

Specialists at the S.B.A. Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Westerly starting Monday can answer questions about disaster recovery loans and provide assistance with applications.

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R.I. Disaster Recovery Centers to Close

Businesses, Nonprofit Organizations Get Smart About Low-Interest Disaster Loans

WINDSOR, Conn. — Businesses and nonprofit organizations are discovering a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration is a smart business decision.

Disaster loans provide funding for private sector recovery and are being used to:

Repair or replace buildings and business assets, such as equipment and inventory;
Meet payroll and lease obligations during business downtime caused by the disaster;
Refinance existing liens; and
Make improvements to protect against future damage.

“Disaster loans from the SBA are the major source of federal disaster recovery assistance,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “The interest rates are low—as low as 4 percent for businesses and 3 percent for nonprofits.”

SBA offers businesses and nonprofits two types of disaster loans: a Physical Disaster Loan and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan.

Physical Disaster Loans are used to repair or replace damaged buildings and business assets. Economic Injury Disaster Loans help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture businesses and most private nonprofits meet financial obligations that they cannot meet because of the disaster.

Business owners may also be eligible to refinance existing liens or mortgages.

Applications from the SBA are mailed to most survivors who register for assistance with FEMA. No one is obligated to accept a loan if offered.

SBA low-interest disaster loans for businesses have several advantages:

SBA requires no collateral for physical loans less than $14,000 or economic injury loans less than $5,000. SBA requires the borrower to pledge as collateral only what is available, plus satisfactory credit and the ability to repay.

Applicants don’t have to wait for insurance settlements to obtain loans.

Loans are written for a length of time appropriate to the type of loan, but SBA may make adjustments in the length to lower the monthly payments.

SBA offers mitigation loans to help pay for improvements to reduce potential for future damage. These mitigation funds are available for up to 20 percent of the total amount of disaster damage.

SBA never charges an application fee or points for its disaster loans.

By law, SBA business loans cannot exceed $2 million. If a business is a major employer, SBA may waive the limit.

The deadline to file for a Physical Damage Disaster Loan is Dec. 31. The deadline for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is July 31, 2013.

No one is obligated to accept a loan if approved. SBA gives applicants six months to decide whether to accept a loan.

SBA has opened a Business Recovery Center in Fairfield County at the Fairfield County SCORE office, 111 East Ave., Norwalk, CT 06851. The center is staffed from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The SBA offers online an application through its Electronic Loan Application site at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ela. Survivors can call the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, or visit the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/sandy.

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Businesses, Nonprofit Organizations Get Smart About Low-Interest Disaster Loans

R.I. Disaster Recovery Centers Add Services

WARWICK, R.I. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training have added new services to the Disaster Recovery Centers to help Rhode Islanders affected by Hurricane Sandy. These include American Sign Language Interpreters and specialists who can help with applications for disaster unemployment insurance.

As part of its mission to provide equal access to all disaster survivors, FEMA worked with the Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to bring American Sign Language interpreters to Disaster Recovery Centers. They will be at the Centers in Westerly and Middletown from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Thursday, December 6.

Other means FEMA uses to enhance access at the Centers include making written materials available with large print or in Braille; offering amplified phones, video relay services and other assistive technology by request; assisting with completion of paperwork and providing physical access to facilities.

To assist with claims for unemployment insurance from anyone who lost work as a result of the disaster, specialists from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training will be at the center in Middletown from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and in Westerly from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday

The Rhode Island Disaster Recovery Centers are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday – Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Closed on Sunday. Locations are

Misquamicut Fire Station, 65 Crandall Avenue, Westerly, R.I.
Middletown Police Station (Community Room), 123 Valley Road, Middletown, R.I.

Rhode Islanders who lost income because of Hurricane Sandy, but are not eligible for the state’s regular unemployment benefits program, may qualify for disaster unemployment insurance if they reside in Newport or Washington counties. Also, people who could not travel to their jobs in Washington or Newport counties because of storm-related transportation disruption may be eligible.

It is not necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to register for DUA. A claim can be made by filing online for regular unemployment insurance at www.dlt.ri.gov, with a statement that the reason for the unemployment is due to Hurricane Sandy. However, a visit to a Disaster Recovery Center when a specialist is available offers the opportunity for immediate in-person answers to questions and assistance with the process.

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R.I. Disaster Recovery Centers Add Services

SBA Loans Help Homeowners and Renters, Not Just Business

NEW YORK — Don’t let the word “business” in the name U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) fool you. If you are a homeowner or renter, the SBA is a primary source of federal funds for long-term recovery.

The SBA’s low-interest disaster loans of up to $200,000 can help qualified homeowners repair or replace damaged real estate. In addition, renters and homeowners may get up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged personal property. In both cases, these SBA loans are only for damages not covered by your insurance.

After you register for federal assistance, you may receive a letter in the mail with an SBA return address. Open it and complete the forms inside. It’s a critical step in the recovery process. Whether or not you want a low-interest loan, if you do not return your SBA application, you may miss out on other assistance from FEMA.

You must return the SBA application to be considered for FEMA grants that cover personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses. You do not need to repay these grants.

You do not need to return the application to be considered for eligibility for temporary housing assistance, and grants for public transportation, medical, dental or burial expenses.

SBA customer service representatives are available to issue or accept low-interest disaster loan applications and answer questions at all New York State/FEMA disaster recovery centers and 18 SBA business recovery centers. To find the nearest disaster recovery center, check out the disaster recovery center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or, with a tablet or smartphone, go to m.fema.gov. You may also text “DRC” and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA). For example, if you lived in Staten Island, you would text: “DRC 10301.” If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. To locate the nearest business recovery center, visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339.)

Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. More information is available by calling the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center toll-free number, 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339.) Assistance is also available by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4085, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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SBA Loans Help Homeowners and Renters, Not Just Business

Connecticut Disaster Recovery Centers’ Hours Change, New Haven DRC to Close

WINDSOR, Conn. – Hours of operation for the FEMA-State Disaster Recovery Centers in Connecticut have changed and the center at Gateway Community College, Long Wharf Campus, New Haven, will close Saturday, Dec. 1, at 5 p.m.

Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or other Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wait for the English message to finish to reach the multilingual operators.

Homeowners or renters who suffered damages in counties designated for federal individual disaster assistance can visit any of the centers.

The following centers are now open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and closed Sundays.

Housatonic Community College

900 Lafayette Blvd.

Bridgeport, CT 06604

Western Greenwich Civic Center

Room 203

449 Pemberwick Road

Greenwich, CT 06381

Groton Senior Center

102 Newtown Road

Groton, CT 06304

Department of Police Services

Conference Room

6 Custom Drive

Old Saybrook, CT 06475

Senior Center

100 Mona Terrace

Fairfield, CT 06824

Simon Lake Elementary School (former)

65 Devonshire Road

Milford, CT 06460

Norwalk City Hall

125 East Ave.

Norwalk, CT 06851

The deadline to register is Dec. 31. Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations does not register survivors for FEMA disaster assistance. Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and a private nonprofit organization fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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Connecticut Disaster Recovery Centers’ Hours Change, New Haven DRC to Close

FEMA Registration Deadline Now 30 Days Away

WINDSOR, Conn. — Connecticut residents who had damage from Hurricane Sandy have only 30 days left to register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The deadline to register for disaster assistance is Monday, Dec. 31.

Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or other Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wait for the English message to finish to reach the multilingual operators.

Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs.

Low-interest disaster loans are available from the U.S. Small Business Administration to homeowners, renters, nonprofits and business of all sizes. SBA is the largest source of federal disaster funds for repairing or replacing damaged or destroyed property.

Returning an SBA application is essential to completing the application process and may open a door to additional forms of disaster assistance from FEMA. However, no applicant is obligated to accept a loan.

Registration for disaster assistance with another agency does not register an applicant with FEMA. Having flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and a private nonprofit organization fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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FEMA Registration Deadline Now 30 Days Away

30 Days Left for New Yorkers to Register for FEMA Disaster Aid

New York – New York State and federal officials remind those affected by Hurricane Sandy that they have 30 days left to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for possible federal disaster assistance.

Applications must be received by Monday, Dec. 31, to be considered for disaster assistance from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Anyone who sustained a loss in any of the 13 New York counties designated for federal disaster assistance should register before the deadline even if they have insurance.

Federal disaster assistance may help eligible applicants with temporary housing, disaster-related uninsured personal property losses, medical, dental and funeral expenses, along with other disaster-related expenses and serious needs.

Survivors must register with FEMA to be considered for federal disaster assistance even if they have contacted the state, their local emergency management agency, the American Red Cross or other charitable organizations.

Anyone who has not registered with FEMA for disaster aid, has questions about their application or needs more information about recovery programs should call FEMA’s toll-free helpline 800-621-FEMA (3362). People who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, can call 800-462-7585 directly; people who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), can call 800-621-3362.

Online registration is available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or through a smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are also available to help with residential and business losses not covered by insurance. Homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes may obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people who have a speech disability or hearing loss) or online at www.SBA.gov. They may also apply for disaster loans at http://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4085, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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30 Days Left for New Yorkers to Register for FEMA Disaster Aid

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