Federal officials are warning of scammers looking to cash in on the Hurricane Milton disaster
As what could be one of the most vicious hurricanes in modern history hits Florida, federal officials are warning consumers to be wary of scammers, both in person and online, who will try to take advantage of what is likely to be a terrible situation will be for many people.
According to CBS NewsAs of Wednesday afternoon, Hurricane Milton was expected to make landfall over or near Sarasota, Florida late Wednesday evening. The storm is expected to be a category three at that time, with winds between 180 and 200 km/h. The storm is expected to inundate parts of the state’s Gulf Coast with storm surge as high as 10 to 15 feet.
Earlier in the day, the Federal Trade Commission spoke along with the Department of Justice and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau warned that scammers will soon try to take advantage those affected by the storm, as well as the well-meaning people trying to help them.
The FTC says scams can come in the form of fraudsters posing as hurricane relief charities. At the same time, the committee is already receiving reports of price increases related to storm supplies such as hotels, groceries and gasoline.
“No American should have to worry about being ripped off while fleeing a hurricane,” FTC Chairman Lina M. Khan said in a statement. “Working with state law enforcement, the FTC will continue to fight to ensure Americans can get the help they need without being targeted by bad actors exploiting a crisis.”
Meanwhile, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has issued a separate warning about possible online scams that could come in the form of emails, social media posts, text messages, phone calls or even a knock on an actual person’s door.
In addition to potentially posing as a charity, scammers can also pose as government officials or as storm victims themselves, CISA says. It urges consumers to exercise caution and ensure they are dealing with legitimate people and groups before handing over money or personal information.
Here’s some advice from the FTC, CISA and others on how to protect yourself from scammers in the wake of Hurricane Milton.
How to avoid natural disaster scams
Don’t answer unsolicited emails, text messages, or pleas on social media. If the message is from a person or group you haven’t spoken to before, don’t respond. Stick to large charities that you know are legitimate. Go directly to their website. Don’t click on links in emails and other types of messages. Do not click on attachments. They may contain malware.
If someone tells you to take action now, don’t. Granted, many people will need help quickly, but if the experts are right, this will be a long rebuilding process. Genuine charities are happy to take your money after you verify their legitimacy. Criminals, on the other hand, want you to hand it over before you have a chance to think about it.
Look carefully at email addresses and URLs. Scammers will often create posts and sites that resemble those of real charities and organizations, but slightly different. If something is wrong with a logo, font, or an email or web address, find another site.
Only give to verified charities. Granted, it can be tricky, but the FTC has some tips for how to find out if a group is legitimate or not, including links to organizations that can help you with research.
Stick to trusted sources for storm advice. If you need assistance or information, please consult your local officials or national disaster management organizations, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security Ready.gov.
Say no to ‘officials’ who ask for money. Government officials, including those at FEMA, will never ask for money in exchange for disaster relief. Be wary of people promoting non-existent businesses or investment opportunities related to disaster recovery, such as reconstruction or flood protection. Requests for payment in the form of a bank transfer, gift voucher, payment app, cryptocurrency or cash are also red flags.
Help others by reporting scams. Let the FTC know by reporting fraud, scams and bad business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report them to the FBI Complaints center for internet crime.
