TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—In the wake of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued guidance to Floridians on how to avoid potential scams related to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Scammers may pose as FEMA representatives, seeking sensitive information or money in exchange for services. They might also use personal information to fraudulently apply for a FEMA grant.
Attorney General Ashley Moody emphasized the risk of imposters posing as FEMA officials: “Imposter scammers may pose as FEMA representatives and try to gain access to storm victims’ personal information and federal assistance. Floridians need to be on the lookout for FEMA scams and report suspicious activity immediately.”
Two common tactics used by these fraudsters include impersonating FEMA representatives at victims' homes, claiming to be housing inspectors or other officials, and attempting to charge fees for disaster assistance or requesting financial information. Another scheme involves using stolen personal data to apply for FEMA grants illicitly.
To help prevent falling victim to such scams, Attorney General Moody offers several tips:
- Understand that FEMA will never charge applicants for disaster assistance or application help.
- Be aware that a legitimate FEMA representative will not ask for banking details or an individual’s nine-digit registration number.
- If approached by someone offering unsolicited help with a FEMA application without any prior request made by you, be cautious as they are likely scammers.
- Always ask solicitors for identification; genuine FEMA representatives carry official government badges.
Fraud can be reported via the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1(866) 720-5721 or through email at StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov. Additional resources on hurricane-related scams can be found under "Scams at a Glance: After the Storm."
The Florida Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division regularly issues Consumer Alerts to inform residents about emerging scams and fraudulent practices. These alerts aim to prevent financial losses by notifying citizens about scams and available refunds. Suspected scam incidents should be reported to the Florida Attorney General's Office at 1(866) 9NO-SCAM or online at MyFloridaLegal.com.