Weekly Scam Alert: Hurricane Season Fraud Ramps up With FEMA Impersonators, Fake Charities
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Hurricane season officially began last week, and federal agencies are reminding consumers that where weather emergencies strike, fraudsters often follow.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently published a consumer alert warning that hurricanes, like other natural disasters, can bring out scammers hoping to get your money and personal information while you’re stressed, rushed or recovering from the damages. Post-disaster fraud costs Americans nearly $10 billion annually, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau — and a big chunk of that comes from hurricane season.
Common schemes include FEMA impersonators showing up to request application fees, fake charities soliciting donations from well-meaning bystanders and fraudulent contractors taking deposits before disappearing without doing any work.
The FTC's advice is basic but ultimately worth reviewing: Before a storm hits, sign up for local emergency alerts, review your insurance policy and secure important documents. Only scammers will claim to be government officials and then demand your bank account information, credit card or Social Security number. FEMA never charges application fees.
Also, be especially careful with anyone who shows up unsolicited offering repairs, cleanup or help filing claims. Don’t pay the full amount upfront, sign over insurance benefits under pressure, or give out sensitive information to someone who contacted you unexpectedly. Remember that scammers thrive when victims feel like they have to act immediately.
The safest move after a storm is to slow down, verify who you’re dealing with and use official channels for disaster aid. If you spot a scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721.
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Other current scams to watch out for
Fake childcare, bad checks
Childcare providers are the target of a new scam that starts with what looks like a promising new client. According to the FTC, scammers are posing as parents who urgently need childcare, often claiming they are moving to the area from overseas and need someone to watch their children right away.
The fake parent says they will send a check in advance, but it arrives with far more than the agreed amount. Then, they claim they “accidentally overpaid” and ask the childcare provider to send back the extra money, usually by wire transfer or payment app. Even if the check initially clears and the money appears in your account, it will eventually bounce — and you'll be the one that has to repay the bank.
The FTC says a check for more than you charge is a clear warning sign. Don’t accept overpayments, and never send money to someone who says they paid you too much by check. A real client can cancel the payment and send the correct amount.
iPhone Lost Mode scam
A recent report from the San Francisco Chronicle described how iPhone thieves may use the number displayed in Apple’s Lost Mode to send threats or fake Apple support messages. When you mark an Apple device as lost, it locks with your passcode, suspends Apple Pay cards and can display a message or recovery phone number for whoever finds it. But that number can also give thieves a way to contact you.
Their goal is usually to scare you into unlinking the device from your Apple ID. Once that happens, the stolen phone becomes much easier to resell.
Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, told the Chronicle that putting a phone into Lost Mode means thieves have no access to your personal information other than what you've chosen to display. Her advice is to ignore the messages. The reason scammers resort to threats is because they're powerless without your cooperation.
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The most common types of scam you should know
Scammers are constantly upping their game, coming up with new and exciting ways (for them) of fooling their targets. AI-powered scams are one example of this; the technology is being used to reach a larger number of people with increasingly more convincing schemes
But some tricks never run out of style. Most scams fall into a handful of familiar patterns, and many long-standing schemes are still a threat today. They’ve just evolved to better fit today’s digital landscape
- Imposter scams: Scammers often pose as trusted figures such as government agencies, banks, employers and even friends or family to pressure victims into sending money or sharing personal information
- Phishing and spoofing scams: These scams use emails, texts or phone calls that look like they’re from legitimate organizations. The goal is to trick you into clicking a malicious link, downloading malware or handing over sensitive information
- Online shopping scams: Fraudsters can create fake online stores or listings with hard-to-find items at unusually low prices. After you pay for an article, what you end up getting might be counterfeit — or it may never arrive in the first place
- Investment scams: This type of scam often arrives with promises of high returns from crypto, forex or other “exclusive” opportunities. Many involve long-term grooming tactics in which victims are encouraged to invest more over time before losing everything
- Romance scams: Some scammers try to get into your pocket through the heart. They build a relationship with you on dating apps or social media, then convince you to give up money and assets by fabricating emergencies or investment opportunities
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What to do if you’re the target — or victim — of a scam
No one is immune to scams or fraud, but a few consistent habits can reduce their danger and the damage they cause
For starters, be skeptical of unsolicited messages, especially those creating fear or urgency. This might look like an email from your bank threatening to close an account, a text from an online marketplace saying you’ll lose a discount or a call from the IRS claiming they’ll report you to the authorities unless you “act now.”
Scammers love to use this sort of language because it puts you on the spot, which they expect will move you to action
Always verify any requests from an organization by cross-checking with its official phone numbers, email or website. And don’t click any links, download attachments or respond to messages you suspect may be fraudulent. A legitimate organization will not pressure you for instant action or secrecy
Now, if you’ve already sent financial information or money to someone you suspect is a scammer, you’ll need to take a few steps to protect your data and possibly get your money reimbursed. Contact your bank, credit card issuer or payment platform immediately and attempt to stop or reverse the transactions. Make sure to change any relevant passwords and enable multi-factor authentication to safeguard your accounts, too.
Reporting a scam might also help protect others. You can file a report with the Federal Trade Commission and with local authorities at your nearby police department or sheriff’s office. Identity theft victims should also consider temporarily freezing their credit
Lastly, review your financial statements and credit reports regularly, keep your software updated and limit how much personal information you share online. Scammers often rely on publicly available details to make their schemes more convincing
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