August 16, 2018

FEMA: Beware of Disaster-Related Fraud and Scam Artists

As California residents work to recover from recent wildfires, they should be on guard for and report suspicious activity of potential fraud, scam artists and other criminals who prey on survivors.

If you suspect someone is perpetrating fraud, call the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or your local police department.

Listed are some examples of common post-disaster fraud practices and important information to help avoid becoming a victim:

Fraudulent phone calls or home visits

Fake offers of federal aid

Fraudulent building contractors

Dishonest pleas for post-disaster donations

FEMA and Cal OES have been providing essential emergency support to affected communities since the Emergency Declaration on July 28, 2018. For more information,

visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4382 and WildfireRecovery.org and follow www.twitter.com/femaregion9, Cal OES www.twitter.com/Cal_OES.

This post was originally published here.