West Virginia (WOAY) As communities recover from recent severe weather, officials are warning residents to be on the lookout for disaster-related scams.
Criminals may use phone calls, text messages, emails, mail, or even go door-to-door pretending to be government officials, insurance representatives, contractors, or charities.
Officials say FEMA and the Small Business Administration will never ask for money or financial account information to apply for disaster assistance.
Homeowners are also urged to verify contractors before hiring them and avoid sharing insurance information with unsolicited callers.
If you’d like to donate to disaster relief efforts, experts recommend giving only to trusted, verified charities and avoiding suspicious emails or social media fundraising requests.
Anyone who suspects disaster fraud can report it to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721.
Residents can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or the Federal Communications Commission.
