How to Identify and Avoid Severe Weather Scams

Sadly, tornados, hail and flooding aren’t the only things we need to watch out for during the severe spring weather season. Fraudsters are always waiting in the wake of storms to take advantage of those affected.

Protect your money and your information by learning how to identify the warning signs of some common post-storm scams:

1. FEMA or Disaster Assistance Imposters pose as government officials from FEMA or the Small Business Administration. They will call you and ask for money or personal information in exchange for disaster assistance.
   
   
2. Insurance Scammers pretend that they are your insurance company, calling to ask you for your information to complete a storm-related insurance claim or policy.  
   
   
3. Utility Imposter Scammers will call or knock on your door after an emergency and ask for payment to repair or replace your utility equipment to get your power back on.
   
   
4. Contractor Scams involve people pretending to be contractors or home improvement companies. They claim that they’re partnered with your insurance company in an attempt to get ahold of your information or cash.
   
   
5. Disaster Charity Relief Scammers pose as representatives of bogus charities, claiming to be collecting donations for disaster relief.
   

If you or your loved ones experience extreme weather, always remember: government disaster agencies NEVER ask for financial or other personal information in exchange for help. Anyone claiming to be a federal official who asks you for money is an imposter.

Additionally, we recommend that you never give your money or personal information to an insurance company, charity or anyone who knocks on your door without verifying the organization. 

To report suspected fraud after a storm, email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov. You can also report the fraud to the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud by calling 866-720-5721.