Disasters are inevitable, and some fraudsters take advantage of the vulnerabilities of disaster victims to defraud them of their valuables while they are still trying to see how they can bounce back from the impact of the tragedy.
After certain mishaps, victims may not only suffer from the effects of the natural or artificial catastrophe, but they also face financial disaster as a result of the activities of con artists.
While we may hope for the best, when tragedy hits, we must prepare ourselves for scammers who want to take advantage of the situation to cause further losses.
In this article, we will discuss common post-disaster scams, how to spot them, and tips on how to avoid them. Without further ado, let’s get started!
Common Post-Disaster Scams
1. Repair scams
Disaster comes with damages after earthquakes, hurricanes, or storms have hit properties; hence, this is one of the reasons fraudsters choose repairs as one of their major con strategies.
Many people would want to start rebuilding their houses, and often, they want to do that as soon as possible.
Nothing is wrong with wanting to get back on your feet after a tragedy. However, while you are preparing to do that, have it at the back of your mind that there are people who would come in the pretense that they want to help you.
2. Impersonation scams
Impersonation is another scam to watch out for. Many people already know that government agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are usually on the ground to help disaster victims.
Con stars may pose as officials from these government agencies and will likely ask for your social security number or any personal information that can be used to deprive you of your money.
3. Donation scams
Disasters tend to bring out the humanity in some people, which is one reason some people want to donate to help alleviate the sufferings of those affected by disasters.
Scammers know that people are more likely to give during a catastrophe than at other times. Therefore, they will pose as people representing charitable organizations. Ultimately, if you decide to donate to people you didn’t find enough information about, the donation may end up not reaching the people it was intended for, and you may lose your hard-earned money.
How to Spot These Scams
If you want to be able to separate the good guys from the bad guys, the following tips will help you achieve that.
1. Upfront payment
The major goal of most post-disaster scammers is to obtain money from you. When a “repair company representative” asks you to pay upfront before they start fixing damages, you should know it is time to do your due diligence and ignore all the requests.
2. Huge discounts
When someone offers you a huge discount, you must watch out. Don’t be deceived if they tell you that they are only trying to help you, considering the tragedy.
Don’t be tempted to jump on the offer because you are desperate and seeking immediate help. You could lose all your money. And in some cases, unfortunately, it’s very difficult to return it.
3. Aggressive pitches
Con artists looking to defraud you after disasters are mostly aggressive pitchers. They know exactly what your problems are and say that they have the solution you are looking for. They will come to you offering solutions in a clear, short, and precise tone. However, the second you start to hesitate or have second thoughts, they might start acting aggressively.
4. No identification
People who reach out to you could be from a government agency, insurance company, or charity organization, but if they don’t present any form of identification to verify the organization they claim they are representing, that is a red flag. Tread with caution.
In worse cases, con artists may decide to take their craft further by flaunting an ID. The chances that the ID may be fake or is for a company that does not exist are high.
So, if they tell you they represent a company you have not heard of before, you must watch it closely.
Tips on How to Avoid Post-Disaster Scams
1. Don’t make any payment until you are sure
Money is the ultimate goal for con artists. If you have not paid them, they may still be hanging around. The longer the deal is delayed, the more chances that you will spot their scam. Hence, before you make any payment, ensure you have enough information about those you are dealing with.
All payments should be made through verified sources, and cash is not an option.
2. Identify who you are dealing with
No matter the urgency of the repair or the help you need after a disaster, falling into a financial disaster is scary. Taking some time to verify the identity of the person you are dealing with is very important.
Ensure you have verified the identity of the person on Nuwber, a people search engine. Whether you have their full name, phone number, or even address, you will find all the necessary details about them.
If you spot any discrepancies during your research, it is time to bail out.
3. Ask questions
He who asks questions hardly misses his ways, and one thing that post-disaster scammers don’t like is too many questions. Bombard any person you deal with with constructive questions regarding what they want to do for you or the organization they represent.
Whatever your doubts are or areas you don’t understand, ask them. If they are who they represent, answering your questions will come easily for them.
Final Thoughts
When tragedy hits, we want to get back to normal as soon as possible. Con artists know this and take this to their advantage.
You can spot them if they ask for upfront payment, offer huge discounts, use aggressive pitches, represent unknown companies, or don’t have valid identification.
To avoid becoming victim of post-disaster scams, don’t make payment until you are sure, identify the person you are dealing with, and ask questions for clarity.