Watch Out for These Scammers After Hurricane Harvey
Harvey was an unprecedented storm – first as a hurricane and now continuing as a tropical storm, causing massive loss and destruction along the Texas coast. Whether you are hurt or want to help those affected, beware of these post-hurricane scams.
Identifying scammers who hunt hurricane victims
This is probably a hectic and intimidating time for you, but make sure you don’t let that cloud your judgment when it comes to getting back on your feet. The consumer is always ready to give advice on how to avoid fraud.
If Harvey has pushed you out, watch out for schemes that prey on people desperate for new housing. Never pay a bond or credit check fee until you see the place you intend to rent, rent a rental from someone you have never seen or met, and never share your bank account information, credit card number, etc. ect. or information about bank transfer by phone or online.
Home renovation scams can also spread after a disaster like this. If possible, find a referral contractor with someone you know to vouch for their work. And take your time – get some bids, make a written agreement, and make sure your contractor is insured so you won’t be held liable for any accidents that may occur. Finally, beware of anyone claiming FEMA approval or certification – it just doesn’t exist.
Beware of shady charities
If you’re not answering a specific request, donate money instead of supplies — it is often more efficient for aid organizations to buy their own supplies than to collect trash. And beware of scams – after a disaster, as scammers may try to take advantage of a very real sense of urgency. The Consumerist offers some important tips on how to avoid this, especially if a prospective charity reaches out to you: call the charity to verify the claim, beware of new charities that spring up after the crisis, donate with a credit card rather than cash, and always trust your intuition. (The Charity Navigator is a great resource for vetting nonprofits; here we’ve rounded up a handful of trustworthy charities that Harvey replied to .)
Avoid Spreading Fake News
We are all hungry for information, be it the latest news, a touching story, or a photograph that vividly conveys the impact of the storm. But beware of shocking images to share if they’re not too good but too weird to be true. We saw this with a shark that definitely didn’t swim down the street after Sandy; Harvey now also has his own fake highway shark . All recommendations for detecting fake virus stories apply.