Hurricane Dorian is expected to make landfall in Florida as a Category 3 hurricane within the next few days. Governor Ron DeSantis has already declared a state of emergency in preparation for the potentially devastating storm. Whenever a hurricane is expected residents in the affected area will always be in a mad scramble for supplies and lodging that they might need during the emergency. Unfortunately, this can lead to price gouging with some vendors and hotels as they may look to take advantage of the situation. However, the Sunshine State has taken steps to try to combat price gouging.
The Florida Attorney General’s Office has released a smartphone app called ‘No Scam’ that is designed to help Florida residents to report price gouging. The app is available on both Apple and Android phones. The app will allow residents to add pictures and copies of receipts from their phone speeding up the reporting process. Florida takes price gouging very seriously as those caught artificially inflating prices can be fined $1,000 per infraction and can be fined up to $25,000 in a 24 hour period.
For whatever reason, if the app were to give you any kind of trouble you can still report price gouging to Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline at 1-866-966-7226, or their website at myfloridalegal.com. It is recommended that you either keep your receipt or take a picture of the inflated charge before submitting a report.
After Hurricane Michael recently struck Florida, many in the devastated areas were left without any kind of phone service. This was reminiscent to Hurricane Sandy in 2012 when many New York residents were left without similar capabilities. In both cases, the phone companies were slow to restore service. In 2012, Verizon was hesitant to restore landlines after the storm destroyed the lines. The Obama-era FCC instituted regulation in the wake of Hurricane Sandy that required service restoration by the telcos after natural disasters.
Now, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai criticized the phone companies for not restoring phone service in Florida quickly enough after Hurricane Michael. But as Ars Technica points out, Chairman Pai is basically criticizing a problem that he created. Pai repealed the Obama-era requirement to restore service in 2017 claiming that the regulation prevented the telcos from upgrading their copper lines to fiber. This didn’t prevent Chairman Pai from criticizing Verizon, his former employer, from not responding fast enough to restore service in Florida.
In my opinion, this is more evidence of how Ajit Pai acts like someone from the Ministry of Truth from George Orwell’s novel 1984. He says things to the public that are so blatantly untrue you have to wonder if he knows he’s lying or if he actually believes what he’s saying. For example when Pai claimed that the majority of Americans were opposed to net neutrality while the public was clamoring for the FCC to keep the protections in place. While I’m not prone to name calling, Ajit Pai is a joke and only has his position as a way to protect the interest of the telecommunications companies rather than the American people.
Hurricane Florence is set to make landfall in the Carolinas either late today or early tomorrow. Even though the storm has been downgraded to a Category 2 storm, it is still set to create a lot of property damage in the affected areas. Whether it’s through flooding or wind damage, residents in the path of the hurricane could be facing a long road back to restoring their homes to habitable conditions. Unfortunately, there will also a number of con artists looking to take advantage of people who have been negatively impacted by the tragedy.
For people living in the storm-damaged areas, people claiming to be contractors will be coming out of the woodwork, so to speak, trying to pressure you into having them fix your home. While you may want to have your home back to normal as quick as possible, never let someone pressure you into making a deal. Always do your research and make sure that any contractor has the proper license. Also never pay cash, never pay up front, and be wary of anyone who just shows up at your door offering to make repairs.
For people living outside of the hurricane zone but want to help the victims of the storm, be aware of who you’re donating to. Charity scams tend to be the other big scam that happens alongside a natural disaster like this. Make sure you know exactly who you’re donating to. Don’t ever make donations in gift cards or by wiring money as these are the most used methods by scammers to take your money. Also be wary of crowdfunding sites that give vague generalities about where the money is going to. If the site claims to be going to the ‘victims of’ whatever disaster happened most recently. It could just be a scammer trying to make some money off of tragedy.
With the impending arrival of Hurricane Florence looking to be a storm of a lifetime event in the Mid-Atlantic, three states have declared states of emergency. Those states being South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. The hurricane is expected to make landfall in one those states later this week. To make matters worse, whenever a hurricane is set to hit an area, there are usually those whose intent is to make a king’s ransom of profit over helping those in need during a time of crisis.
Price gouging is when a merchant or lodging provider charge an exorbitant amount for their goods or services during a crisis when need is in high demand. Thankfully, the three states mentioned, all have laws in place to prevent price gouging when a state of emergency has been declared. With so many people looking for supplies, fuel, or alternative lodging, it’s refreshing to see governments looking to make sure that people in need aren’t being taken advantage of.
However, that doesn’t mean that price gouging won’t occur. For example, if you were to leave the area where an emergency has been declared, you may be at the mercy of an unscrupulous vendor. If you live in South Carolina and evacuate to Georgia, where a state of emergency has not been declared, you may see an exorbitant price increase for food, gas, and lodging. If you are in a state that has declared an emergency some vendors may still take to price gouging in defiance of the law. If that is the case, these articles from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia all have the information you need to contact the proper authorities.
To everyone who is facing the wrath of this potentially devastating storm, please stay safe.
Before Hurricane Irma even made landfall in Florida, the state Attorney General’s office received over 8,000 complaints about price gouging. In what has unfortunately become the norm during natural disasters, some retailers took it upon themselves to raise the prices on such necessities as gas, food, water and lodging. Some reports have indicated that some gas stations in the affected area raised their prices to $8 a gallon during the evacuation period. While some may call this just a simple case of supply and demand, price gouging like this is illegal in Florida and the Attorney General has been serious about fining infractions.
Violators can be fined $1,000 per infraction and can be fined up to $25,000 in a 24 hour period. Now, with the devastation in the area becoming even more widespread, price gouging is even expected to rise. The way the state determines price gouging is that they compare prices from 30 days prior to the date of the infraction and see if the price has been raised in an outrageous fashion.
If you feel a retailer is taking advantage of the Hurricane you can report them to the state’s Price Gouging Hotline at 1-866-966-7226, or their website at myfloridalegal.com. It is recommended that you either keep your receipt or take a picture of the inflated charge before submitting a report.
Natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey often bring out the best in humanity with many people donating time, money, resources and even blood to help the victims who have been ravaged by the storm. Unfortunately, it also brings out the worst in humanity with people trying to not only scam the victims of the storm, but those who are willing to open their hearts and wallets to the victims.
Victims of the storm need to be aware of fake contractors offering to repair their homes. A lot of people will approach storm damaged homes claiming to be contractors, however, almost anyone can claim to be one. Avoid paying contractors up front in full and try to stick with with people you know or people who have been recommended to you. Displaced storm victims also have to be aware of rental scams as well. As usual, don’t ever wire money to a prospective landlord and don’t trust anyone who won’t let you see the property first before renting.
When huge disasters happen in our country it usually unites us in aiding those affected by the calamity. While they can bring out the best in us these disasters can also bring out the worst in us as it gives scammers and con artists a new opportunity to take advantage of our willingness to help.
One of those disasters from recent times was the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that dumped millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico for 87 days. Once the spill was contained many workers were needed to help clean up the spill and reclaim the environment. Online ads started popping up promising paying jobs to help clean up the spill. However, a lot of these jobs turned out to be scams that left people stranded without money.
In that vein, a man from Wichita, Kansas, recently came across a similar scam involving Hurricane Matthew. Matthew did a lot of damage from Florida to the Carolinas and the Wichita man saw an ad that was offering work to help repair the damage done to the Southeast. When the man called the number in the ad the man on the other side of the line asked for $100 for transportation but the man would need to find his own job once he got there. Luckily, the man realized that this was a scam before he lost any money.
To keep yourself safe from these scams just keep in mind that no legitimate employer will ever ask you for money up front. A lot of these scams will ask for a processing fee, a background check fee, or a drug test fee. If any potential employer asks you for any of these, it’s a good indicator that it’s a scam and there is no job.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, FEMA is urging residents of Georgia, and all Americans, to be on high alert for scams and fraudulent schemes. Natural disasters, while bringing communities together in times of need, unfortunately also provide opportunities for criminals to exploit vulnerable individuals. These deceptive tactics often aim to steal money or sensitive personal information from those already facing significant challenges.
Fraudulent activities can take many forms in the aftermath of a disaster. One common method involves the unauthorized use of personal information, such as Social Security numbers and addresses, to apply for FEMA assistance. This can result in individuals discovering fraudulent claims made in their name, sometimes only after a FEMA inspector visits their home, or they receive an unexpected letter from the agency.
If you are contacted by a FEMA representative or inspector, and you have not applied for assistance, it is crucial to act promptly. Inform the FEMA inspector that you did not submit an application, allowing them to flag the fraudulent claim and halt its processing. Similarly, if you receive a letter from FEMA regarding assistance you did not request, contact the FEMA Helpline immediately at 1-800-621-3326 to address the issue. Should you decide to seek assistance after reporting a fraudulent claim, FEMA will guide you through submitting a legitimate application.
FEMA officials stress that their representatives, including Disaster Survivor Assistance teams and housing inspectors, will always carry official photo identification. Importantly, FEMA does not charge for its services. Assistance applications, disaster inspections, and other forms of support are provided at no cost. Any promise of expedited grants or benefits in exchange for payment is a clear red flag of fraudulent activity. Additionally, FEMA inspectors are not authorized to request your banking or financial information during their visits.
If you suspect fraudulent activity or believe you have been targeted, report it immediately to your local law enforcement or contact Georgia’s Consumer Protection Division through the Office of the Attorney General. Taking swift action helps protect your personal information and ensures that legitimate disaster recovery efforts can continue unhindered.
FEMA’s warning applies not just in Georgia, but across the United States, wherever natural disasters may strike. Whether facing hurricanes, floods, wildfires, or any other emergencies, staying informed and cautious is essential to safeguarding yourself and your community.
As Hurricane Helene approaches or makes landfall, the safety of those in the affected areas remains the top priority. This Category 4 storm is expected to bring significant damage to the Florida Panhandle and Southern Georgia. Amid the focus on recovery and well-being, it’s important to also be mindful of potential scams that often surface in the aftermath of natural disasters. Unfortunately, some individuals will exploit these vulnerable times, posing as helpful contractors or service providers. We want to take this opportunity to remind storm victims on how to protect themselves from these con artists.
After severe weather strikes, it’s not just the damage to homes and properties that residents need to worry about, scammers often take advantage of the chaos, looking to make a quick profit. These opportunists, often referred to as ‘storm chasers’, are not local contractors but individuals who travel from out of state to target areas affected by storms. With legitimate contractors overwhelmed by the sudden demand for repairs, these scammers see a chance to prey on vulnerable homeowners.
Storm chasers typically present themselves as roofers, tree trimmers, or public adjusters, going door to door in damaged neighborhoods offering their services. While their offers might seem convenient in the wake of a storm, it’s crucial to take a few precautionary steps to ensure you’re dealing with a legitimate professional.
First, always ask for identification and proof of a business license before agreeing to any work. It’s essential to verify their credentials to ensure they are who they claim to be. Additionally, it’s important to contact your insurance company before proceeding with any repairs. Familiarize yourself with your policy to understand what is covered, so you can avoid any unnecessary expenses or scams.
While it may seem like a relief to hear someone offer quick fixes, it’s vital to get any agreements in writing. Be extremely cautious when signing anything, especially documents related to your insurance coverage. Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to convince homeowners to sign on the spot, claiming that immediate action is needed. This is often a red flag, as reputable contractors will not rush you into a decision.
It’s also important to take the time to research the company offering repairs. A great starting point is the Better Business Bureau, which can provide information on the credibility and reliability of the contractor. Doing your due diligence now can save you from much larger headaches down the road.
In preparation for future storms, one proactive step you can take is to document the current state of your property. Walking around your home or business and taking photos or videos of your windows, roof, and other key areas can help you compare conditions after a storm, making it easier to spot genuine damage and avoid being misled by fraudulent contractors.
In times of disaster, it’s natural to want to restore normalcy as quickly as possible. However, taking these precautions can prevent you from falling victim to the scammers who look to exploit these situations for personal gain.
One of our well-used adages about scammers is they may be some of the most informed people on the planet. If there is a major news story, there will be scammers looking to take advantage of it. Typically, we see this with natural disasters such as hurricanes and the like. However, the news story can also be something more socioeconomic that’s a call to action for scammers.
For example, student loans have regularly been in the news for the past few years. We all know why student loans have been in the news, and we’re going to gloss over those details to try to prevent this from becoming a political discussion. And as we all also know, student loans garnered a large amount of the headlines this past week.
This has caused not only the Attorney General’s Office, but the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue a warning about student loan scammers. Both offices are warning consumers, scammers will more than likely start sending out texts, emails, and robocalls offering some kind of student debt relief.
These scammers tend to use a nebulous name of an organization that doesn’t exist. They’ll often use generic names like ‘The Student Loan Forgiveness Center’. However, the scammers may have some of your identifying information to make the scam seem more authentic.
In most cases, the scammers are trying to get you to pay an ‘application fee’ while they promise debt relief that will never come. Once a victim makes a payment to the scammers, they’ll continue to hound the victim for more payments, usually under the guise of having to navigate government red tape.
Despite, the recent news, there are still student debt relief programs; however, they are only available through the government. Please keep in mind, the government is not going to call you to start the debt relief process. You have to reach out to them first.
If you have more concerns or questions, you can read more about student debt relief scams at the Federal Student Aid website.
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