Protect Yourself from Common Scams After a Storm

As we work to recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, we should beware of one more danger to our communities: scam artists.

Unfortunately, scam artists target the vulnerable: senior citizens, people in debt, and yes, people facing the aftermath of a natural disaster. Many scams originate via email, phone, or text, but some scam artists will even show up at your door.

No matter which type of scam is in question, the most common tactics scammers use include fear, urgency, and the promise of money. They want you to act quickly, before thinking through your actions. They want to trick you into sharing sensitive personal information they can use to steal your identity or access your financial accounts. Another red flag: if they’re asking for money, scammers often want you to use wire transfers, mobile payment apps, gift cards or cryptocurrency to access your money faster.

Lakewood Financial Services would like you to be aware of three common post-disaster scams, as well as some tips for avoiding getting taken.

Three common post-disaster scams

The most common post-disaster scams include charity scams, insurance scams, and disaster assistance scams.

Charity scams—Charities which sound legit often spring up after natural disasters. If you want to help others in need, take the time to investigate the organization or individual you want to help. Consult a third-party watchdog like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. Go to the charity’s official website to verify phone numbers and email addresses. Use extra care if you see a plea for help on social media or a crowdfunding site—these are often not checked by any other entities.

Insurance scams—Be cautious when taking phone calls related to an insurance claim or policy.  Don’t give out personal information without verifying that the person you’re speaking to is really from your insurance company. This includes contractors who call you and claim to be working with your insurance company. If you have questions or concerns about a claim, call your insurance company directly.

Disaster assistance scams—Fraudsters may pose as representatives from government assistant agencies such as FEMA. Remember, there is no fee required to apply for disaster assistance from FEMA or the Small Business Administration. FEMA representatives carry laminated photo ID, and are not allowed to ask for or accept money, and neither are federal or state workers. If someone claiming to be from one of these organizations asks you for money or personal information like your bank account number, don’t be fooled.

Remember basic cyber safety

Even when we’re not recovering from a storm, we should keep in mind the following basic cyber safety principles to help keep us safe from scams and cybercrime:

Be careful what information you share online or on the phone.

Don’t be rushed into action.

Don’t accept calls from unknown numbers.

Don’t give out passwords, policy numbers, account numbers, and other personal information without verifying who is asking for the information.

Do not open emails from people or groups you don’t know. Don’t click links or open attachments unless you’re sure of their safety.

Call the person or company who sent the email using the official company phone number, not the number found in the email or text in question.

Remember, if you have questions about your insurance claim following a hurricane—or any other covered peril—reach out to your insurance company directly, or call your agent at Lakewood Financial Services at 941-747-4600. Lakewood Financial Services can help you with all your insurance needs, including home, auto, business, and life insurance. Click here to contact us online.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. For more tips for individuals, as well as small and medium-sized business, visit the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency website.