A warehouse at Mohr Industrial Park lies in ruin Monday following an EF-3 tornado that ripped through Whiteland on March 31.
Daily Journal File Photo
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is warning disaster survivors about the possibility of fraud, scams and identity theft.
Residents are encouraged to pay attention to the following risks to protect themselves:
Fraudulent applications
If a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to create an application. If this happens, you should inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA aid, so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application.
If you did not apply for assistance but receive a letter from FEMA, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The helpline will submit a request to stop any further processing of that application.
If you wish to apply for FEMA assistance after stopping an application made in your name without your knowledge, the FEMA helpline can also assist you in creating a new application.
Other scams
- FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams, housing inspectors and other officials will have 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.
- Residents should not believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment.
- Be careful of unexpected phone calls or visits to your home from people claiming to be FEMA housing inspectors or people claiming they work for the agency. FEMA inspectors 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.
Taking action against scams
If you believe you are the victim of a scam, you should report it immediately to your local police agency. Consumers may also report charity or disaster scams to the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of Indiana Attorney General online at indianaconsumer.com.
If you have knowledge of fraud, waste, abuse, or allegations of mismanagement involving FEMA’s disaster relief operations, report this to FEMA or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security by:
- FEMA Fraud Branch: Email: [email protected]; fax: 202-212-4926; or write to: FEMA Fraud and Internal Investigation Division, 400 C Street SW Mail Stop 3005, Washington, DC 20472;
- DHS Office of Inspector General: Go online to hotline.oig.dhs.gov/; call: 866-720-5721; fax: 202-254-4297; or write to: DHS Office of Inspector General / MAIL STOP 0305, Attn: Office of Investigations – Hotline, 245 Murray Lane SW, Washington, DC 20528.
