How to protect yourself from scammers after disaster strikes

Natural disasters often bring out the best in people as communities come together to help and support those in need. Unfortunately, when a natural disaster strikes, scammers often look for an opportunity to prey on people’s vulnerability and urgency to help others or secure aid for themselves. Whether it’s fake charities soliciting donations, fraudulent contractors taking advantage of victims in need of urgent repairs, or phishing attacks where threat actors try to get recipients to click on links to provide personal information, disaster-related scams are increasingly prevalent.

If you are the one who is affected by a natural disaster or trying to donate or help those impacted, it is critical to understand the most common scams that emerge during these times to protect against fraud and ensure resources go where they are needed most.

Some of the most common types of scams that occur following a disaster include:

• Charity Scams: Fraudsters pose as legitimate charitable organizations and request donations for disaster relief. They often create fake websites or send emails with links to donate, but the money goes directly to the scammers.
• FEMA or Government Aid Scams: Scammers pose as representatives from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) or other disaster relief organizations offering to help victims apply for aid, but they instead collect personal information or charge fake processing fees.
• Contractor and Repair Scams: In the aftermath of a disaster, victims often need repairs to their homes or properties. Scammers offer to do repairs at low costs, demand up-front payments, and then disappear without completing the work.
• Insurance Scams: Fraudsters claim to be from insurance companies and ask victims for personal details or money to process their claims, only to steal identities or financial information.
• Fake Rental or Housing Scams: Scammers offer fake temporary housing or rentals for displaced individuals, collecting deposits or rent payments for properties they don’t own.
• Phishing Scams: Scammers send fake emails or messages pretending to be from official relief organizations, asking recipients to click on links to provide personal information or download malicious software.
• Price Gouging: After a disaster, scammers inflate the prices of essential items like food, water, or fuel to take advantage of the increased demand.

To avoid falling victim to these scams, it’s important to verify the legitimacy of organizations, avoid clicking on unsolicited links, and only use official websites when seeking aid or making donations. For charity verification, sites like Charity Navigator, GuideStar.org or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) can help.

Always report disaster-related scams to authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or local law enforcement.

For more information on how to protect yourself and your finances, please visit Citizens’ Security, Privacy & Legal Center.