Officials are warning residents of disaster-related scams after thousands of Michiganders recently became eligible to apply for federal relief following record-breaking storms and flooding this spring.
Daniel Bernardy, a spokesperson for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said con artists often try and take advantage of survivors after disasters – and Michigan is no different.
“It's not something that's running rampant,” Bernardy said. “We want to make sure the public is educated on this particular issue.”
Bernardy said scammers will commonly try and get personal or financial information while impersonating a FEMA agent over the phone.
“FEMA will never ask you for money, not for applications, not for inspections, not for grants,” Bernardy said.
FEMA agents will never ask a survivor to confirm banking information either.
However, Bernardy said it is essential that survivors answer unknown numbers calling their phone after they have submitted an application.
"It's important that you answer those phone calls so that we can make those connections with you and schedule the field visit," Bernardy said.
Another way scammers can take advantage of survivors of natural disasters is by using their private information to file a fraudulent disaster relief application.
"Basically if a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you never submitted a FEMA application," Bernardy said. "It may mean that your information has been compromised."
If that happens Bernardy said to contact FEMA immediately.
Residents should always confirm that an agent is official by asking for their official Identification, Bernardy said.
If a survivor isn’t sure if the agent is legitimate either on the phone or in person, they can confirm with the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
To report a scam, contact your local police or Sheriff’s office. To report knowledge on a FEMA disaster-related scam, email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov.
