Scammers are still attempting to take advantage of vulnerable victims by impersonating Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) agents and charity volunteers months after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. These fraudsters are using deceptive tactics to steal money and personal information from those affected by the disasters.

Victims have reported encounters with individuals claiming to be FEMA housing inspectors or charity volunteers, who ask for personal information, such as Social Security numbers and banking details. Some scammers have even gone so far as to request large cash deposits or advance payments for disaster assistance, which is not a practice followed by legitimate agencies.

Local authorities are urging residents to be vigilant and to verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a FEMA agent or charity worker. Legitimate FEMA representatives will always carry an official government badge with a photograph and will never ask for money or personal financial information. Additionally, they will not make unsolicited visits to homes.

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To protect themselves, residents are advised to report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement and to contact FEMA directly if they receive unexpected communication from someone claiming to be a representative of the agency. By staying informed and cautious, victims can help prevent further exploitation by these opportunistic scammers.

If you or someone you know has been targeted by these scammers, it is important to report the incident to the authorities and to seek assistance from legitimate sources. Together, we can work to ensure that those affected by the hurricanes receive the support they need without falling victim to fraud.

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(Image credit: Marcin Paśnicki from Pixabay)