Hurricane Harvey: Watch Out For People Impersonating FEMA, City Of Houston Inspectors

HOUSTON, TX — Emergency officials are warning residents to ask for proper identification in the case someone knocks on their door claiming to be an inspector from the city or FEMA.

"There are disturbing reports of people impersonating City of Houston and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) inspectors.," the city said in a statement. "These individuals are reportedly knocking on doors and attempting to enter homes, presumably with the intent to rob residents."

The city said in a statement that both FEMA and Houston employees wear clearly labeled identification badges. (For more hurricane news or local news from Houston, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Houston Patch, and click here to find your local Texas Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Officials advised anyone who may come in contact with such individuals to ask to see properly labeled identification.

Residents can call 911 if they suspect someone of posing as an inspector from FEMA or the city and if it is an emergency. Otherwise, residents can contact the toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 to report a possible FEMA impersonator.

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