Orange County Sheriff's Office warns of fake FEMA application fee
Photo from FEMA
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From the Orange County Sheriff's Office and Staff Reports
The Orange County Sheriff's Office has received reports of residents being asked for an "application fee" for FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency or insurance reimbursement.
"This is a SCAM!" the OCSO says. "FEMA and insurance will never ask for a fee to process your claim."
For those who may have been victims of such a scam, contact the Attorney General's Office of Citizen Services either by calling the Attorney General's Fraud Hotline at 1-866-966-7226 or by filling out an online complaint form at http://myfloridalegal.com/contact.
If you suspect fraudulent activity involving FEMA, you can also report it to the FEMA Fraud Branch at: StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov, fax: (202) 212-4926 or write to FEMA Fraud and Internal Investigation Division, 400 C Street SW Mail Stop 3005, Washington, DC 20472-3005.
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams, housing inspectors, and other officials will be working in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian in Florida. They carry official identification badges with photo IDs. FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections, or help in filling out applications.
Don’t believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment.
Be wary of unexpected phone calls or visits to your home from people claiming to be FEMA housing inspectors or people claiming they work for FEMA. FEMA representatives will have your FEMA application number.
Don’t give your banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector. FEMA inspectors are never authorized to collect your personal financial information.
If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to your local police or sheriff’s department or contact the Office of the Attorney General by calling 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226) or visit myfloridalegal.com. To file a fraud complaint, go online to Scam Report (myfloridalegal.com).
If you suspect fraudulent activity involving FEMA, you can report it to the FEMA Fraud Branch at: StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov, fax: (202) 212-4926 or write to: FEMA Fraud and Internal Investigation Division, 400 C Street SW Mail Stop 3005, Washington, DC 20472-3005.
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