Scammers Love Natural Disasters!
By Marge Draeger
Watch Out for Pandemic Specials At Regular Prices
I see a lot of advertising right now that says this business or that is offering lower interest rates or some type of other special pricing in response to the pandemic. That’s wonderful — if it is true. I suspect that many of these “special offers” are the same offers that would be made with or without the pandemic.
It has become a catch-phrase that so many companies are using to further their own business model. And that’s OK. If they are offering something you would be interested in without the pandemic sales touch, then you can feel comfortable moving on and investigating the price and other considerations. A sales pitch is nothing more than just that — an attempt to sell you something.
Careful Who You Give Your Address and Phone Number To
I’ve seen social media ads that offer to inspect your roof and make any necessary repairs or to paint your home, or repair your windows. Some of those are legit, but some are just scams to get into your home or to collect your address and phone number.
Why might they want your address and phone number?
Your address and phone number are two of the basic building blocks for identity theft, you want to guard yourself against giving that information to anyone.
3 Tips to Avoid Being Scammed
- Before considering buying a service, check out the vendor. Ask your friends and relatives for recommendations, or you could check the name of a vendor with the Better Business Bureau in your state. I don’t recommend an online search because it may not give you accurate information about a vendor. It’s actually very easy to spam the “recommendations”, adding a large number of phony testimonials. And it’s just as easy to get 5 stars the same way. Be wary of online recommendations. Research anyone who wants to sell you an expensive service the old fashioned way — by looking for accurate information and asking people who have used a similar business and are willing to give a real recommendation.
- Be wary of a person who knocks on your door offering some type of service. It is usually something that will be costly, like home repairs or landscaping upgrades, and they are hoping you’ll buy the service on an impulse. They may tell you that your neighbors have hired them and they will offer you a “special price” because they are in the neighborhood already. They may collect your check and you may never see them again.
- Only purchase services from a reputable vendor in your area and only after doing the research that shows they will do the work well and reasonably. That way you have local support to help you if there are any issues as well.
What to do if you have been Scammed?
Scams happen to everyone it’s nothing to be embarrassed by. However, it is important you do your part to help prevent others from being scammed!
Report It
If you do get taken in by a scam, you need to contact your local police department and also the Better Business Bureau.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the main agency that collects scam reports. Report your scam online with the FTC complaint assistant, or by phone at 1–877–382–4357 (9:00 AM — 8:00 PM, ET)
It can be very difficult to get your money back once a thief has cashed the check. You should try to ask your bank to stop payment on a check if it has not already been cashed.
In some cases, a television station may have a department that will investigate a scam and try to recover your money. Here in Phoenix, the CBS affiliate has “Three On Your Side” which investigates scams and tries to get relief for people who’ve been victims. Even if all options fail — the word is out there that the person involved is shady.
These types of scams often follow a natural disaster like a hurricane or the pandemic we are currently experiencing. Be wary of anyone who comes to your door that you are not expecting.
FEMA can also help: To report suspected fraud, call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline toll free at 1–866–720–5721. If you need to report other fraudulent activities during or following a natural disaster, please notify FEMA at 1–866–720–5721 or disaster@leo.gov.
