FTC Advice for Hurricane Victims and People Who Want to Help

 "The Federal Trade Commission has information for people affected by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey, and for those who want to contribute to relief efforts.

If you’d like to donate money to a charity, the FTC blog post, Make your hurricane donations count, describes how to make sure your dollars go to the causes you support. See the infographic, How to Verify a Hurricane Relief Charity, for a summary of this information.

After natural disasters, unlicensed contractors and scammers often promise clean-up and debris removal, but some of them want payment up-front for work they never do, and others lack the skills, licenses, and insurance to legally do the work. The blog post, Avoid hurricane clean-up scams, has tips to protect yourself, your property, and your money. See the infographic, The Scam: What to Do, for a summary of this information..."
Hurricane victims help

Hurricane Harvey and Army Corps: Background for Flood Response and Recovery

"Hurricane Harvey produced high winds, storm surge, and heavy precipitation. Congressional responses to the storm's flooding may consider both coastal protection and the improvement of water management and drainage in inland areas. This Insight summarizes Hurricane Harvey-related flood-management activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE, or Corps).

Responsibilities for flood-risk-reduction infrastructure are shared. Local and state entities are responsible for preparing for and managing precipitation that falls onto their developed areas (e.g., drainage within neighborhoods and city streets). At Congress's direction, USACE plans, builds, and operates numerous riverine and coastal flood-control projects, including levees and dams. USACE has three primary flood-related roles relevant to Hurricane Harvey: operation of flood-risk-reduction infrastructure, assistance with certain nonfederal-operated flood-control infrastructure, and emergency response..."
Hurricane Harvey

Tips on Avoiding Fraudulent Charitable Contribution Schemes

"The National Center for Disaster Fraud reminds the public to be aware of and report any instances of alleged fraudulent activity related to relief operations and funding for victims. Unfortunately, criminals can exploit disasters, such as Hurricane Harvey, for their own gain by sending fraudulent communications through email or social media and by creating phony websites designed to solicit contributions.

Tips should be reported to the National Center for Disaster Fraud at (866) 720-5721. The line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Additionally, e-mails can be sent to disaster@leo.gov(link sends e-mail), and information can be faxed to (225) 334-4707.

The U.S. Department of Justice established the National Center for Disaster Fraud to investigate, prosecute, and deter fraud in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when billions of dollars in federal disaster relief poured into the Gulf Coast region. Its mission has expanded to include suspected fraud from any natural or manmade disaster. More than 30 federal, state, and local agencies participate in the National Center for Disaster Fraud, which allows the center to act as a centralized clearinghouse of information related to disaster relief fraud..."
Fraudulent charitable contributions

FTC Warns Hurricane Victims About Flood Insurance Robocall Scam

"The Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers about a flood insurance scam targeting those that have been affected by Hurricane Harvey. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), homeowners and renters are getting fraudulent robocalls telling them their flood premiums are past due.

Don’t respond to these robocalls.

If you have flood insurance and you’re not sure what to do, read this FTC blog post: Hurricane Harvey scams: Callers lie about flood insurance.

If you suspect fraud, call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline toll free at 1-866-720-5721. Also report it to the FTC. Your reports help the FTC and other law enforcement agencies bring scam artists to justice and put an end to unfair and misleading business practices.

For information about how to help victims, and for dealing with and recovering from the storm, read FTC Advice for Helping Hurricane Harvey Victims..."
Flood insurance scams