FEMA's Disaster Fraud Hotline
ptsc
"The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Texas Division of
Emergency Management (DEM) are coordinating a joint effort to uncover fraud
attempts. People who encounter fraudulent scams should report them to their
local law enforcement, the Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection at
1-800-337-3928, or FEMA's Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-800-323-8603."
Here is what their webpage says on Disaster Fraud.
http://www.fema.gov/diz98/d1257n19.htm
Be on the Alert for Fraudulent Schemes Related to Disaster Assistance
Estas noticias en español
San Antonio, TX, November 1, 1998 -- State and federal officials are asking
everyone who may have suffered a loss during the severe storms, flooding and
tornadoes that began Oct. 17 to be on the alert for people trying to cheat them.
"I'm sad to say that even in times of disaster and loss, there are some people
out there who prey on victims who have already suffered enough," said Federal
Coordinating Officer Robert E. Hendrix. "We intend to turn over every report of
fraudulent activity to law enforcement for investigation and prosecution, and we
urge people to report it to us."
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Texas Division of
Emergency Management (DEM) are coordinating a joint effort to uncover fraud
attempts. People who encounter fraudulent scams should report them to their
local law enforcement, the Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection at
1-800-337-3928, or FEMA's Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-800-323-8603.
"The State of Texas will not tolerate anyone trying to cheat either individuals
or the taxpayers," said State Coordinating Officer Ed Laundy. "This kind of
activity during a time of disaster recovery will be sought out and stopped."
Individuals affected by the disaster should be aware of the following:
No legitimate FEMA or other government inspector, telephone operator or staff
will ever ask a disaster assistance applicant for money, their bank account PIN
number, or other compensation for taking an individual's application. (However,
if applicants want their assistance funds to be electronically deposited into
their bank account, they will have to provide a bank account and bank routing
number to the operator taking their call. Applicants should only provide this
information when they have initiated the call to the FEMA teleregistration
number.)
The ONLY way to apply for disaster assistance from FEMA is by calling the
toll-free teleregistration number at 1-800-462-9029. If someone gives you a form
they claim is for FEMA, report them immediately to FEMA's Disaster Fraud Hotline
listed above.
FEMA does NOT issue vouchers to flood victims to purchase a new home.
Never sign a blank contract. Get any agreement in writing, and make sure the
contract covers all the work to be accomplished, all other costs, a payment
schedule and who is responsible for obtaining necessary permits.
Legitimate contractors and other service providers normally do not require more
than one-third as down payment. Don't give anyone an advance payment in cash,
and make sure your payment schedule is clearly spelled out in your contract.
Be suspicious of anyone who offers to increase the amount of your disaster
damage assessment.
Be wary of door-to-door repairmen offering their services following a disaster.
Legitimate contractors rarely solicit by going door-to-door. Shop around first
before hiring repairmen for the job. Conduct business only with established,
licensed and insured workers.
Be leery of offers to help you fill out loan or grant forms for a fee. If you
need help filling out your Small Business Administration (SBA) loan package,
call the SBA toll-free number at 1-800-366-6303 or the FEMA Helpline at
1-800-525-0321 (TTY 1-800-660-8005).
FEMA does not endorse individual loan companies or contractors, so be wary of
any business that claims it has governmental support.
It is always wise to read carefully any document, application, voucher or other
paper related to disaster assistance. If you have any questions about the
legality of a document claiming to come from FEMA, call the Helpline.
Updated: November 4, 1998
Rawley
news:fsu6qtgom6751fk7b...@4ax.com:
> This is one agency you do not want to piss off ever.
>
> "The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Texas Division
> of Emergency Management (DEM) are coordinating a joint effort to
> uncover fraud attempts. People who encounter fraudulent scams should
> report them to their local law enforcement, the Attorney General's
> Office of Consumer Protection at 1-800-337-3928, or FEMA's Disaster
> Fraud Hotline at 1-800-323-8603."
I'd like to call, but I'm a newbie clam baker and don't think I'd be able
to express my point well enough to someone at FEMA.
-Rawley
antivirus
net> wrote:
>This is one agency you do not want to piss off ever.
>
>"The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Texas Division of
>Emergency Management (DEM) are coordinating a joint effort to uncover fraud
>attempts. People who encounter fraudulent scams should report them to their
>local law enforcement, the Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection at
>1-800-337-3928, or FEMA's Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-800-323-8603."
>
>Here is what their webpage says on Disaster Fraud.
>
>http://www.fema.gov/diz98/d1257n19.htm
http://www.fema.gov/feedback/
This should be a good address to send reports: o...@fema.gov
antivirus
________________________________________
decoding scientology propaganda
http://www.entheta.ca/caroline/
caroline letkeman *antivirus*
________________________________________
ptsc
>ptsc <ptsc AT nym DOT alias DOT net> wrote in
><fsu6qtgom6751fk7b...@4ax.com>:
>
>>This is one agency you do not want to piss off ever.
>>http://www.fema.gov/diz98/d1257n19.htm
>send your complaints about the fraudulent behavior of Co$
>(Fox News and their emails for NY) to : o...@femo.gov
I would guess that any email address there (especially a general one) is going
to be swamped with all kinds of useless garbage right now.
The specific phone number for the specific issue of disaster fraud is probably
the right one. FEMA's Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-800-323-8603
ptsc
antivirus
The 800 number is an automated report line. This is what I did
1. Sent a detailed e-mail report to o...@fema.gov
(note: it is fema, not femo--typo above.)
2. Called the 800-323-8603. Gave as much information as I could on
their voicemail and referred them to my e-mail report for specifics.
antivirus
antivirus
>ptsc <ptsc AT nym DOT alias DOT net> wrote in
><fsu6qtgom6751fk7b...@4ax.com>:
>
>>This is one agency you do not want to piss off ever.
>>http://www.fema.gov/diz98/d1257n19.htm
>
>send your complaints about the fraudulent behavior of Co$
>(Fox News and their emails for NY) to : o...@femo.gov
>
>cep
Typo. The correct address is o...@fema.gov
Admiral Qwog
ptsc <ptsc AT nym DOT alias DOT net> says...
order to RM the agency's mail system so much the better.
They're leaving an evidence trail.
Admiral Qwog