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FEMA never charges
FEMA does not charge for disaster help, inspections or help filling in forms. Anyone asking for a fee, or for your bank details to speed up a grant, is a scammer.
Safe and sound
Stop disaster recovery scams
Fake inspectors, cash-up-front crews and fake charities follow storms and floods, and a few rules keep your money and ID safe.
Time20 min
LevelEasy
Steps6
Official sources2
Scammers follow storms and floods, posing as government staff, repair crews or charities. People who have just lost a lot are easy targets, so a few rules protect what is left.
What you need
Gather these before you start.
- Copies of your ID, insurance and bank details in the document pouch: 1 set
- Phone
- Notebook to record names, badges and dates
Step by step
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Check every badge
Real FEMA staff and contractors carry photo ID. If unsure, call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 to check before you let anyone in or give any information.
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Hire contractors carefully
Get written estimates from more than one licensed, insured contractor, check them with your state or local licensing office and never pay the whole job up front. Do not pay in cash, gift cards or by wire transfer.
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Give to charities you know
Donate to known charities through their own websites rather than to people who call, text or knock.
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Watch your accounts
Check bank and card statements often in the months after a disaster. If documents were lost or stolen, report it and replace them through official sites only.
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Report scams
Report fraud to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and to the FEMA disaster fraud hotline when someone poses as FEMA.
The numbers
| What | Amount |
|---|---|
| FEMA fee for help or inspections | $0 |
| FEMA helpline | 800-621-3362 |
| Written contractor estimates | More than 1 |
| Share of the job to pay up front | Never 100% |
| Copies of ID, insurance and bank details | 1 set |
FTC, Recovery scams after Hurricane Ian
Stay safe
- Never give your Social Security number, bank or FEMA application details to someone who contacted you first.
When you're done
| Result | Repairs, aid and donations handled without losing money or personal details to scammers. |
|---|---|
| Keep it ready | Keep the FEMA helpline and your insurer's claim number on the family contact card. |
Questions people ask
Does FEMA charge for services?
No. FEMA does not charge for disaster help, inspections or help filling in forms, so anyone asking for a fee or your bank details to speed up a grant is a scammer.
How do you spot a FEMA inspector scam?
Real FEMA staff and contractors carry photo ID. Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 to check the person before you let them in or share anything.
Where do you report a disaster scam?
Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If the person posed as FEMA, report it to the FEMA disaster fraud hotline as well.
Sources
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