(CNN) – Thousands of Floridians are rebuilding their communities after Hurricane Milton made landfall as a deadly Category 3 storm this week and moved across the state, bringing destructive storm surge to parts of Florida’s west coast and deadly tornadoes to the east, causing deaths of at least 17 people. The state anticipates more victims, according to Governor Ron DeSantis.
But there’s an unfortunate reality victims could face as they deal with property damage, insurance claims and disaster relief funds: scammers moving in as the massive storm moves away.
“People are vulnerable right now,” Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said after the storm. “They don’t have electricity; “They don’t have access to the internet, and they are making decisions based on poor information.”
Scammers deploy countless methods in the immediate aftermath of a life-altering storm, according to Better Business Bureau spokesperson Melanie McGovern.
Whether it’s someone pretending to be a FEMA official, or an unsolicited contractor showing up in your yard to help you repair your home, McGovern says it’s vital to stay alert.
“If the company you’re dealing with is a little invasive, if they’re not answering your questions, if they’re demanding money up front, if there’s pressure for you to act right away, you need to step back and say, ‘I’m going to try. to find someone else,’” McGovern said.
Knowing how to identify a scam and who is most likely to be deceived is the first step in combating these fraudulent schemes.
Those affected by a hurricane often encounter scams regarding financial relief from purported government agencies like FEMA.
The agency warned victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton this week about unsolicited messages, emails or calls claiming to be from FEMA or other organizations offering help.
“FEMA will never ask for your personal financial information over the phone or via email,” a news release said.
FEMA only contacts storm victims who have registered for assistance, according to the agency. If you receive suspicious emails or phone calls, you can call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 to verify if they are legitimate.
The agency also denied rumors that survivors seeking assistance will only receive $750.
“To help people quickly obtain essential supplies such as food, water or baby formula, FEMA will provide $750 in assistance, also known as Serious Needs Assistance, but it is not the only form of assistance available to survivors of disasters,” the statement said.
People seeking to help storm victims may also be tricked into donating to fake charities, FEMA said.
Potential donors should ask for a copy of the charity’s financial report to determine how much of their contribution goes to the cause, according to the Florida Division of Consumer Protection.
“Definitely take the time to research charities that have the ability to reach the affected area, that are established, that specialize in this type of work,” McGovern said.
Scams are also rampant on crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe, where people post fake stories that move people, he added.
CNN’s Impact Your World team has ways viewers and readers can help victims of Hurricane Milton through verified charities here.
Fake charities or scams can also be reported to the National Disaster Fraud Center.
In Pinellas County, about an hour north of where Milton made landfall on Siesta Key, officials are urging residents to be on guard against “fly-by-night” contractors or people looking for damaged homes, offering to do jobs like repairing a roof or remove a tree, but do little or no work after securing a deposit.
Noting that many areas in the county have “sustained severe property damage due to the consecutive impacts of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton,” the Pinellas County Office of Consumer Protection urged residents in a public notice Thursday to Be cautious when hiring someone to make storm-related repairs.
“Avoid dealing with anyone soliciting work door-to-door; Please take the opportunity to investigate it first,” the notice said.
Residents should be wary of contractors who may attempt to bill in advance for services and instead officials recommend payment after a project is completed or in progress. Residents should also be suspicious of any contractor who insists that extensive repairs do not require a permit, and are urged to deal “only with licensed and insured contractors.”
Residents can search for reputable contractors by visiting DCNOnline.org.
“Do not judge an organization by its name alone,” the Pinellas County notice said. “Many organizations have names that sound like reputable organizations, but they may be fraudulent.”
Many cities and municipalities require contractors to be licensed, McGovern says.
“It’s really important to ask them, ‘Hey, can I see your credentials?’ Do you have a license to work in my area?’” he said.
After Hurricane Milton, Florida authorities are also struggling to stop insurance scams targeting storm victims, often the elderly, says Patronis, the state’s chief financial officer.
Florida is home to more than 6.3 million seniors, relative to anyone age 60 or older, according to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. The state has the second-largest population of seniors in the United States, a department spokesperson added.
Right now, scammers are targeting elderly residents at Spanish Lakes Country Club Village in Fort Pierce, a community for people 55 and older, according to officials there. Several people died there after tornadoes passed through the area on Wednesday.
Scammers are trying to trick elderly victims whose homes were damaged by the tornadoes into signing over their insurance claims, according to Patronis.
“These predators are billing insurance companies for that money and diverting money directly from victims,” Patronis told CNN.
State teams are now on the ground in those neighborhoods trying to detect and stop these scams, he added.
“If someone comes to your house claiming to be from your insurance company, ask them for identification,” McGovern added. “Be sure to get copies of everything and keep copies of all your insurance policies in a safe place in case of a disaster.”
McGovern says he has not yet received any reports of Milton-related scams or fraud in Florida, but reports will almost certainly come in due time.
“Just because people aren’t telling us about it doesn’t mean it’s not happening,” he said. “Be alert and be aware that these are the types of things that can happen.”
