Fraud Warning Issued In Aftermath Of Hurricane Michael

TAMPA, FL — Federal officials are warning people in areas affected by Hurricane Michael to beware of the potential for fraud.

“Following Hurricane Michael’s landfall and as recovery efforts continue, it is important for people to be on the lookout for fraudsters who seek to profit from natural disasters through identity theft schemes, impersonation of government officials and solicitations for fake charities,” warned Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

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The Department of Justice operates the National Center for Disaster Fraud, which serves as a centralized clearinghouse for disaster fraud complaints and information relating to both natural and man-made disasters. The center was established after Hurricane Katrina, when billions of dollars in federal disaster relief poured into the Gulf Coast region.

“The Department of Justice is committed to detecting this type of fraud, and we will aggressively prosecute the offenders, Rosenstein added. "Through our National Center for Disaster Fraud, and in conjunction with our law enforcement partners, we are working to keep Americans from becoming victims of these schemes."

Examples of possible disaster fraud include:

• Impersonation of federal law enforcement officials
• Identity theft
• Fraudulent submission of claims to insurance companies and the federal government
• Fraudulent activity related to solicitations for donations and charitable giving
• Fraudulent activity related to individuals and organizations promising high investment returns from profits from recovery and cleanup efforts
• Price gouging
• Contractor fraud
• Debris removal fraud
• Theft, looting, and other violent crime

If you suspect fraud related to Hurricane Michael, call the National Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. The hotline is staffed by live operators 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also fax information to the center at 225-334-4707, or email disaster@leo.gov.

For more information, click here. You can watch a public service announcement here. Tips for the public on how to avoid being victimized of fraud can be found here.

Photo courtesy Capt. Ignatius Carroll of Miami Fire Rescue