This article provides advice on how to avoid scams after a catastrophic event. It warns about impersonators posing as government agencies, utility companies, and contractors, urging readers to verify identities and be wary of urgent requests for money or immediate action. It also highlights common scams like debt collection calls for non-existent accounts, medical bills for unperformed procedures, and missing tax refunds.
Firefighters extinguish burning embers at a house on Santa Rosa Avenue, also known as Christmas Tree Lane, after the house was destroyed by the Eaton Fire, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. Company linked to Alex Jones doubles offer to buy Infowars after failed bankruptcy auction
“It’s something that’s unfortunately very common,” Layugan said. “After disasters, people are also particularly vulnerable to people saying you need to ‘act fast’ and using urgency to pressure people into taking actions that might not be in their best interest.” Online review sites and searches for the contractor’s name with the word “scam” or “complaints” can help, as can confirming the license and insurance information of anyone you work with.In 2023 alone, roughly 1 million people reported identity theft, 2.6 million people reported fraud, and 1.9 million reported other types of scams to the FTC.
— Store personal information, including your Social Security card, in a safe place. Do not carry it in your wallet.
SCAM DISASTER RELIEF IDENTITY THEFT CONTRACTOR SCAMS FTC
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