How do you avoid scams and fraud after a disaster?

Scammers often target homeowners after a natural disaster. To help protect yourself, verify the identity of anyone offering assistance before paying for services or giving out personal information. Check contractors’ credentials, and use payment methods that leave a record. 

Remember, applying for government disaster assistance is always free.

Which scams are common after a disaster?

Disaster fraud can take several forms. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), common scams include:

• Government impersonators: Scammers may pose as FEMA employees or other officials, offering disaster assistance in exchange for fees or personal information.

• Fraudulent contractors: Unlicensed or dishonest workers may demand large upfront payments, perform shoddy repairs, or disappear without completing the job. They may go door-to-door offering “free roof inspections,” invent problems, or pressure you into unnecessary repairs.

• Fake insurance representatives: Impostors may claim to be insurance adjusters, the people who inspect and estimate damage after a claim, and request payments or sensitive information.

• Charity scams: Fraudulent organizations solicit donations for disaster victims but keep the money.

• Phishing texts and emails: Messages containing suspicious links trick homeowners into sharing passwords, account numbers, or other personal information.

• Identity theft: Criminals use stolen personal information to apply for disaster assistance or commit other fraud.

How to verify FEMA, government, and insurance representatives

Be wary of any unexpected phone calls or emails you receive after a natural disaster. If someone claims to represent a government agency or your insurer, hang up. Then call the organization directly using a number from its official website or your insurance documents. Don’t click any links in unfamiliar texts or emails until you’ve confirmed they’re legitimate.

FEMA inspectors carry official photo identification and will never ask for your nine-digit registration number because they already have it.

How to avoid contractor & repair scams

Contractor scams can leave you to deal with unfinished repairs or unreasonably high bills. Here’s what to keep in mind before hiring a contractor:

1. Verify licenses and references. If a contractor will be performing work that requires a license in your state, check their credentials through your state’s licensing agency. Also, ask for references and proof of insurance.
2. Compare written estimates. Get quotes from several contractors, with details about the work, materials, costs, and expected completion dates.
3. Get a written contract. Read it carefully, and avoid paying the full amount up front. Use traceable payment methods, such as checks or credit cards, rather than cash or gift cards.
4. Don’t sign over your insurance benefits. An assignment of benefits (AOB) is an agreement that hands your claim, and your claim payment, to a contractor. Many home insurance policies don’t allow these agreements, and Florida prohibits them for property policies issued on or after January 1, 2023. If a contractor asks you to sign one, read it carefully and check with your insurance company first.
5. Be wary of offers to waive your deductible. Your deductible is the amount of a covered claim you’re responsible for paying. Contractors may offer to rebate or waive your deductible in order to pressure you into signing a deal. This is illegal in many states, such as Florida and Texas, and could result in your insurance claim being denied. 

How to spot charity & donation scams

Fake charities may impersonate legitimate relief organizations. Before donating, check the charity’s credentials using the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search and an independent evaluator such as Charity Navigator. (Tax-exempt status alone doesn’t guarantee a charity is trustworthy.)

Warning signs of a donation scam may include:

• Pressure to donate immediately

• Requests for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency

• Charity names or websites that closely resemble legitimate organizations, but are not exactly the same

Donate through the charity’s official website rather than a link in an unsolicited message. Credit cards generally offer better fraud protection than cash or untraceable payments. 

How to protect your home insurance claim from scams

Work directly with your homeowners insurance company after a disaster. 

Consider these precautions:

• File your claim directly. Follow the proper steps for filing a home insurance claim. Confirm any adjuster’s identity with your insurer.

• Document the damage. Take photos and videos, save receipts, and keep a home inventory of damaged belongings.

• Review documents carefully. Read everything before signing, and keep copies of contracts, estimates, and claim paperwork.

• Check repair bills. Compare invoices and completed work against your damage records and written estimates. Question charges for repairs you didn’t authorize.

Where to report disaster fraud

If you suspect fraud, save messages, receipts, and other evidence, and report it.

Note: The U.S. Department of Justice closed the National Center for Disaster Fraud on March 31, 2026. Some older disaster-recovery resources still list its hotline. For current reporting options, visit the Justice Department’s disaster fraud resource page. 

Frequently asked questions

Does FEMA charge to apply for disaster assistance?

FEMA never charges fees to apply for disaster assistance, complete an application, or have your home inspected. If someone is demanding payment for these services, it’s a scam.

Will FEMA or your insurer ask for your bank information over the phone?

FEMA may request banking information when you apply for disaster assistance, but FEMA housing inspectors will never ask for it. Your insurer may also need account details to arrange a claim payment. If someone calls unexpectedly requesting financial information, don’t share it. Instead, contact FEMA or your insurer directly using an official phone number to verify the request.

How do you know if an insurance adjuster is legitimate?

Contact your insurer directly to verify its adjusters. Use the contact information you find on the insurer’s official website, not on any suspicious communication. Scammers may add fraudulent phone numbers or email addresses to their messages.

What is price gouging and how do you report it?

Price gouging happens when sellers charge excessively high prices for essential goods or services during or after an emergency. States such as Florida prohibit unjustified price increases after a declared state of emergency. If you suspect price gouging, save receipts, estimates, or photos showing the prices, and report it to your state attorney general.