How to prepare for hurricane season 2022 and avoid storm-related scams

Threats from hurricanes don’t come just from wind and rain, storm surges, flooding and rip currents, or tornadoes and landslides. Hurricane-related threats also come in the form of scammers who use those weather emergencies to cheat people. Some of the most common weather-related frauds and scams include people who promise to help you with clean-up or repairs, but disappear with your money; those who pretend to be FEMA or other government agencies; people who promise you a job – if only you pay to get it; and those who promise you a place to rent – if only you wire them the money to get the place sight unseen.

The FTC’s site, Dealing with Weather Emergencies, has practical ideas to help you get ready for, deal with, and recover from a weather emergency. It also has advice on how to recognize, avoid, and report frauds and scams.

Like all the FTC’s materials, the site is mobile-friendly, giving you ready access to information when and where you need it. Check out the site’s four sections:

• Preparing for a Weather Emergency
• Staying Alert to Disaster-related Scams
• Getting Back on Your Feet Financially
• Resources

Help keep your community well-informed and safe. Share this customizable one-page handout, Picking Up the Pieces after a Disaster. Just add your local consumer protection and emergency service contacts, print however many copies you need, and distribute them throughout your community. And don’t forget to sign up for consumer alerts to get the latest information on frauds and scams.

Image

Comments closed.

WALT WILSON

Don't see many hurricanes in Humboldt County, CA.........

Todd Milton

Thank you

Where this page came from

This page was imported from Federal Trade Commission. Published by the Federal Trade Commission and, as a work of the United States government, in the public domain; material credited to others is left out.

Nobody has written it yet — it is the source material at a new address, which is why search engines are asked to skip it and why no one earns from it. It is up for grabs: take it on, and it is yours to rewrite and to earn from.