The Update

Has Your Area Been Hit by a Natural Disaster?

When disaster strikes, so do scams. If you live in an area that’s prone to storms, flooding, or wildfires, or you volunteer to help victims of natural disasters, beware of these post-disaster scams.

Bogus Charities

As soon as a natural disaster hits, fake charities spring up everywhere. Unfortunately, these scams are often successful at swindling victims out of thousands of dollars.

Never take a request for monetary aid at face value. Check out the charity’s authenticity at Charitynavigator.org and on the Better Business Bureau website. If you find the charity is a reliable organization, make sure the website address (URL) is correct and you’re not working with a copycat site. Better yet, contact the charity on your own.

FEMA Imposters

Some scammers take advantage of natural disaster victims by impersonating FEMA representatives to collect victims’ personal information and/or their money.

If you applied for FEMA and you receive a phone call from someone claiming to represent the federal organization, only share your FEMA claim number over the phone. If the caller is legitimate, they’ll already have any other information they need.

If a FEMA representative shows up at your home, ask to see a FEMA-issued photo ID badge. Do not give the “FEMA rep” any of your money – or any of your personal information.

Shady Contractors

Many so-called contractors scour storm-damaged neighborhoods to offer their services to homeowners who are seeking repairs. They may ask for upfront payment before providing subpar work or leaving the job unfinished. Carefully research any contractor before hiring, and never agree to pay for all or most of the repairs before the work is done.

Damaged Cars

Sometimes, a car that’s been in a flood or hurricane can be fixed on the outside while still being mechanically unsound. Shady car salespeople might try to sell these vehicles to unsuspecting consumers who have no idea the car has been in a storm.

If you’re shopping for a car in an area that has recently been hit by a natural disaster, check out the car’s history on Carfax.com.

If you suspect fraud of any kind, let the FTC know at FTC.gov.

RGCU personal identity theft reimbursement 

As an RGCU Member you have benefits for using your RGCU debit or credit card, including personal identity theft recovery assistance. If your identity is stolen, you could be reimbursed up to $5,000 for the cost of recovery.