HOUSTON, Texas – Storms and disasters often strike the Houston area, making them familiar but not always easy to prepare for.
Last week, Hurricane Beryl made landfall, causing devastating damage in some areas and leaving thousands of Houstonians without power. Residents and businesses experienced downed trees, loose power lines, broken windows, and some flood damage.
Recommended Videos
On Monday, a week after the storm, Houston Mayor John Whitmire extended the local disaster declaration, as thousands of CenterPoint customers were still without power. Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster declaration was approved by President Joe Biden on Wednesday.
As we know, scammers have become more creative. Here are a few tips when seeking assistance for your home or business:
Construction Scams
According to the Texas Department of Insurance, contracting scams can increase after a storm or disaster. Here’s how you can avoid them:
- Try to use a local company if possible.
- Don’t pay with cash. Paying with a check or credit card creates a record of your payments to the contractor.
- Get multiple bids to help determine which ones are too high or too good to be true.
- Bid should include the company’s name, phone number, and address.
- Call the Better Business Bureau and check the contractor’s references.
- Ask for the contractor’s certificate of insurance and bond certification. Call the companies listed to verify the coverage.
- Ask the contractor to tell you if they contact your insurance company about more work or costs.
Report possible contracting scams to local law enforcement.
Visit www.TDI.texas.gov for more tips to avoid scams, information on insurance coverage for storm damage, and what to do if you disagree with your insurance company’s decision. Call the TDI Help Line at 800-252-3439.
FEMA Scams
FEMA is also warning Texans to be on the lookout for scammers trying to steal their identity, personal information, and money after Hurricane Beryl.
FEMA said if an inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to create a FEMA application. If so, please inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application.
If you did not apply for assistance but received a letter from FEMA, please call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews, housing inspectors and other officials are working in areas impacted by the hurricane. They carry official identification badges with photo IDs. FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications.
Don’t believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment. They don’t represent FEMA.
If you believe you are the victim of fraud or a scam, report it immediately to your local police or sheriff’s department or contact the Office of the Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-621-0508.
If you suspect fraudulent activity involving FEMA, you can report it to the FEMA Fraud Branch at: StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov, fax: (202) 212-4926 or write to: FEMA Fraud and Internal Investigation Division, 400 C Street SW Mail Stop 3005, Washington, DC 20472-3005.
Insurance Scams
The Federal Communications Commission said if you receive a phone call about an insurance claim or policy, do NOT give out any personal information or agree to any payment until you can independently verify that the call is legitimate. If the caller says they’re from your insurance company, hang up and contact your agent or the company directly using the number on your account statement. Policyholders with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP Direct) can call 1-800-638-6620.