Disaster Victims Should Beware of Scammers Posing as FEMA
Friday, May 13, 2011 | 05:34am
NASHVILLE- Tennesseans grappling with damage from recent tornados and flooding may encounter people in FEMA uniforms seeking residents’ private information. Commerce and Insurance wants to relay FEMA’s instructions: Treat with suspicion anyone claiming to be with the agency who shows up unannounced.
“FEMA has been clear about this – people claiming to be with FEMA who show up unannounced to the homes of residents without their case information are likely fraud artists,” says Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “FEMA recommends you call the police, should that occur.”
Legitimate FEMA representatives set up appointments with flood victims before showing up to homes. When they show up, they should already have personal data related to the homeowner – such as Social Security and FEMA-specific disaster applicant ID numbers that the agency will use to track victims’ cases.
Whether residents have flood coverage or not, they should contact both their homeowners insurance carrier and FEMA, which can be contacted at 1-800-621-FEMA, or www.fema.gov. Also visit www.disasterassistance.gov/. A list of Tennessee counties that participate in the flood program can be found at www.fema.gov/cis/TN.html/.
HOME CONTRACTOR SCAMS
Natural disasters are stressful. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Keep in mind that fraud artists like to prey on people in desperate situations. Some fraud artists pose as home contractors and attempt to take money from unsuspecting homeowners eager to get their homes repaired.
Don’t be pressured into making a snap decision. As the consumer, you are always in the driver’s seat. Don’t sign any blank contracts. If you have any questions, contact FEMA or the Department. Before you pay anyone, first verify that the contractor has the appropriate license from the state.
Visit http://verify.tn.gov. After typing in two requested words to get past the security prompt, enter the name of the contractor or firm and pull down "contractors" or "home improvement" from the drop-down menu.
Then hit "search." Remember: Legitimate contractors should not have a problem with you pausing to verify their license status or getting references from previous jobs.
DEPARTMENTAL RESOURCES
· People with questions about insurance (except for flood insurance, which is administered by FEMA) should call 800-342-4029 or e-mail CIS.complaints@tn.gov.
· People with questions about consumer issues should call 800-342-8385 or e-mail consumer.affairs@tn.gov. Consumer Affairs also has an online complaint form to use to report suspected price gouging:
· People with questions related to the the licensing of home improvement contractors should call 800-544-7693 or e-mail Contractors.Home-Improvement@TN.Gov.
The Department of Commerce and Insurance works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee. www.tn.gov/commerce/