Greg's Corner

The FEMA Scam That Follows Disasters

By Greg Collier

A natural disaster can turn life upside down in a matter of hours. Roads flood, homes are damaged, power can disappear, and people suddenly need help with everything from emergency shelter to insurance claims and repairs.

Unfortunately, there is another group that seems to arrive quickly when disaster strikes: scammers.

That is the warning coming from police in Cambridge City, Indiana, where residents are dealing with the aftermath of recent heavy rains and flooding. Authorities have warned that people may be posing as Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, responders.

There had not been reports of FEMA impersonators inside Cambridge City at the time of the warning, but police said similar reports had surfaced in nearby communities. Authorities also emphasized that FEMA was not currently operating in Cambridge City.

That distinction is important because disaster victims are often expecting legitimate government workers to show up at their doors.

A scammer knows that.

A FEMA Vest Can Be a Powerful Prop

Imagine that your basement has flooded. Maybe your roof has been damaged. Perhaps you have lost possessions, your home is temporarily unlivable, or you are trying to figure out how you are going to pay for repairs.

Then someone knocks on your door.

They introduce themselves as a FEMA representative. They may have an identification badge, a government-looking shirt, or even a vehicle that appears official. They tell you they are there to inspect the damage or help you apply for assistance.

Under normal circumstances, you might be suspicious.

After a disaster, you might be relieved.

That is precisely what makes these scams so dangerous.

The Cambridge City Police Department advised residents not to provide personal information or allow someone claiming to be a FEMA responder access to their homes. If someone suspicious appears at the door, police said residents should call 911 and, if it can be done safely, take a photograph or video of the person or vehicle. They specifically cautioned people not to put themselves in danger to obtain evidence.

The Scammer Doesn’t Have to Be FEMA

FEMA impersonation is only one version of a much larger disaster-scam problem.

After a major storm, hurricane, tornado, wildfire, flood, earthquake, or other catastrophe, scammers can impersonate almost anyone involved in the recovery process.

They could claim to be government employees, insurance representatives, utility workers, contractors, charity workers, debris-removal companies, or even representatives of a bank.

The timing is what makes the deception work.

A person who normally would never give a stranger personal information might be much more willing to cooperate when that stranger appears to be offering help after a disaster.

The scammer might ask for a Social Security number to supposedly process disaster assistance. They might ask for banking information so a relief payment can be deposited. They could request copies of identification documents or photographs of property damage.

And once that information is collected, the disaster may become an opportunity for identity theft.

FEMA itself has warned that criminals can use stolen names, addresses, and Social Security numbers belonging to disaster victims to apply for assistance fraudulently.

Then Come the Contractors

There is another scam that often follows natural disasters.

The storm passes, but the scammers stay.

A person may knock on your door claiming to be a contractor who can repair your roof, remove debris or fix flood damage. The scammer might insist that immediate work is necessary and demand a large deposit.

Sometimes the person may actually perform some work. It simply may not be the work that was promised.

Other times, the contractor disappears after receiving the money.

Disaster victims are particularly vulnerable because waiting weeks for a legitimate contractor may not be an option. If a tree has fallen through the roof or floodwater has damaged the house, homeowners understandably want someone there immediately.

That urgency is precisely what a scammer wants.

Fake Charities Can Appear Overnight

Disasters also create opportunities for another familiar scam: fake charitable appeals.

Within hours of a catastrophe, social media can fill with photographs, emotional stories, and requests for donations.

Some may be legitimate.

Others may not be.

A scammer can create a convincing-looking charity, copy photographs from legitimate organizations, or claim to be collecting money for specific victims. The goal is to exploit the public’s desire to help while the disaster is still fresh in everyone’s mind.

The same principle applies to crowdfunding campaigns.

A heartbreaking story can make people reach for their wallets before they stop to determine whether the person or organization collecting the money is legitimate.

Disaster Scams Can Target Renters, Too

People who have been displaced by a disaster face another problem: finding somewhere to live.

That creates an opening for rental scammers.

A scammer can advertise a house or apartment supposedly available for displaced residents and demand a deposit before providing the keys.

The victim may be told that the property is in high demand and that somebody else will take it if they don’t pay immediately.

After a disaster, that pressure can be extremely effective.

The victim isn’t simply looking for a better apartment. They may be looking for somewhere to sleep that night.

The Disaster Is the Hook

The important lesson from the Cambridge City warning is not simply to watch out for fake FEMA workers.

It is to recognize a broader pattern.

Scammers follow the headlines.

When something important happens, criminals look for ways to incorporate that event into their schemes. A hurricane creates hurricane scams. A wildfire creates wildfire scams. Flooding creates flood scams. A major government program creates government impersonation scams.

The subject changes.

The strategy doesn’t.

Create urgency. Establish authority. Ask for information or money. Keep the victim from taking enough time to verify the story.

That strategy can work particularly well when people are frightened, displaced, or overwhelmed.

Don’t Let a Disaster Become a Second Disaster

If someone shows up at your home claiming to represent FEMA or another government agency, don’t assume that the uniform, identification badge, or official-looking vehicle proves anything.

Don’t hand over personal information simply because someone says it is required.

Don’t let an unexpected visitor into your home.

And don’t allow the urgency of the situation to prevent you from verifying who you are dealing with.

The Cambridge City Police Department advises residents who encounter someone suspicious claiming to be a FEMA responder to contact 911. If it is safe, residents can document the person or vehicle, but personal safety should come first.

Most importantly, remember that disaster recovery is a long process, and legitimate assistance doesn’t require you to blindly trust the first person who arrives offering help.

The storm may be unpredictable.

The scammers aren’t.

They are simply looking for the next crisis.