How to Avoid Disaster Fraud and FEMA Scams Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. Close

Disaster Scams

Disasters can bring out the best in people, as neighbors and strangers alike roll up their sleeves and open their wallets to help those picking up the pieces. They also bring out the worst in scammers, for whom others’ misfortune is just a chance to make a fast buck. Since it was founded in 2005, the U.S. Justice Department’s (NCDF) has fielded more than 95,000 complaints involving more than 100 events, including hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, explosions and chemical spills. Disaster frauds often prey directly on those struggling to recover from extreme weather. Dubious contractors descend on affected communities, offering quick, cheap fixes for battered homes and businesses or rapid removal of debris, for payment up front. Some of these “storm chasers” are merely shady and overcharge for shoddy work. (And since they lack local licensing, your homeowner’s insurance might not cover it.) Others are outright scammers who take your money and run. There’s more on avoiding elsewhere in AARP’s Fraud Resource Center. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. In another “post-disaster” con, fraudsters claiming to work for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or other government bodies contact victims with promises of grants, building permits or help speeding up insurance claims, if you pay a deposit or fee. A genuine FEMA inspector will not ask for money or personal information. Scammers may also pose as public insurance adjusters, charging high fees for doubtful damage assessments or directing you to disreputable contractors with whom they’re in league.
Disasters also unleash a torrent of bogus charities, which get busy pumping out calls, text, emails and social media posts soliciting donations for relief work. As hurricanes near landfall, scammers snap up internet domains featuring the storm’s name and words like “help” and “relief.” Other faux fundraisers imply a connection to well-known aid organizations like the Red Cross or Oxfam. You’ll find more on spotting in the Fraud Resource Center. Don’t let fraud compound a disaster. Take these precautions to ensure you are getting, or giving, the right kind of help.
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How to protect yourself from this scam

Do due diligence before hiring a contractor. Look for a business name and phone number on their vehicle. Get references, look up their (BBB) profile and check that they are . Make sure they carry liability and workmen’s compensation coverage.Do get detailed written estimates for repairs. Read contracts thoroughly before signing, and keep copies of all paperwork.Do make sure, before repair work starts, that your insurance company will cover it.Do verify that a public adjuster seeking to handle your claim is licensed. You can check with your .Do ask to see a purported FEMA representative’s official ID. A real agent will have a laminated photo badge. A FEMA shirt or jacket is not proof of identity. If you want to double-check, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.Do give to charities with a proven track record of disaster work. Use online resources like , , or the BBB’s to check an organization’s bona fides. Don’t agree to door-to-door solicitations for donations or repairs. Even if they seem legitimate, ask for more information rather than giving money on the spot.Don’t sign over insurance checks to contractors or sign documents giving them rights to your insurance claims. Pay them yourself, preferably by credit card.Don’t give personal or financial data to someone claiming to be from FEMA. The agency will ask for Social Security and bank account numbers when you online or by phone, but a FEMA representative will not do so in person.Don’t donate by text before checking with the charity to confirm the number.Don’t take disaster solicitations on social media or crowdfunding sites at face value. Research the messenger before hitting the “donate” button.Don’t be swayed by vague, sentimental appeals. Ask for specifics about how the charity helps disaster victims.Don’t click links or open attachments in email and social media solicitations unless you’re sure who sent it. They could be delivery systems for malware. AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe has more details on spotting suspicious activity and outlines how the agency communicates with survivors.You can report disaster scams to:NCDF (866-720-5721 or )FEMA (Office of the Chief Security Officer, 866-223-0814 or )the Federal Trade Commission ( or 877-382-4357)your state’s MORE FROM AARP Scam Tracking Map No matter where you live, fraud is never far away. Report a scam or search for existing scams near you. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS