How to protect against scams after Hurricane Ian and other natural disasters

Hurricane Ian is among one of the costliest storms in US history, causing over $50 billion in damages and leaving hundreds of people without their homes.

Less than a week after Hurricane Ian chewed up Florida’s coast and the Carolinas, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and US Department of Justice (DOJ) are urging Americans to remain vigilant against opportunistic scammers.

While people strive to get back on their feet and mourn the loss of loved ones, the FTC has warned consumers to watch out for imposters and fraudsters attempting to cash in on the havoc.

The consumer agency and DOJ recommend you:

• Be extremely cautious before sharing Social Security numbers or other sensitive data with individuals claiming to be safety inspectors, government employees or utility workers who want to help you
• Don’t give money to individuals claiming to provide you with FEMA grants – funds that support disaster-related projects and individuals with households affected by a disaster
• Don’t make upfront payments to unlicensed contractors who say they will help you repair or remove debris from your property. Ask to see copies of their licenses and demand they make a contract for you
• Use caution when looking for a new place to live until you rebuild or make repairs to your damaged home. Don’t wire any money or pay for any security deposits until you’ve physically seen the property and signed a lease
• Don’t fall for charity scams. Fraudsters profit from your charitable spirit to steal your money. They may impersonate official organizations, so do your research before donating
• Never click on links from unsolicited correspondence including emails, texts or instant messages

The DOJ has also committed to tracking down and punishing those seeking to fill their pockets after hurricane season.

“Fraudsters targeting individuals who are already suffering from the impact of Hurricane Ian is despicable and an inexcusable crime,” the Executive Director of the NCDF. “We are still in hurricane season, and it is important for people to be on the lookout for fraudsters who seek to profit from natural disasters through identity theft schemes and solicitations for fake charities.”

“The Department of Justice, through U.S. Attorney Offices across all states and territories of the United States, are committed to detecting this type of fraud and will aggressively prosecute the offenders,” he added.

The DOJ asks that anyone who has fallen victim to a disaster-related crime immediately report it to the NCDF.

Scammers prey on unwary internet users to steal personal information and money after disaster strikes. With Bitdefender security and privacy solutions, you can stay on top of fraudulent websites, links and other nasty internet threats to protect your financial wellbeing.

Read more about our identity protection and privacy solutions here.