FEMA warns of disaster fraud and scams

Disasters bring out criminals looking to prey on survivors who appear to be easy targets for their scams.

Survivors of the August storms in Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, and Wayne counties should be aware that fraud and scams can occur anytime.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages survivors to be alert and report any suspicious activity or potential fraud by scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals.

Anyone who suspects fraud or scams should call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 (TTY call 711). The toll-free number is open 24 hours a day.

Common tactics used by scam artists include phone calls from people claiming to work for FEMA. They caller may ask for the survivor’s Social Security number, income or banking information.

Survivors should never trust someone claiming to be a disaster assistance employee asking for money. FEMA does not endorse any commercial business, product or service, and local and federal disaster assistance workers do not solicit or accept money.

For additional information about the disaster recovery operation in Michigan, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4757.

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