Natural disaster scams

fake FEMA aid application scam

Scammers impersonate FEMA agents or create fake FEMA application websites after natural disasters, stealing personal information and diverting disaster relief funds from real victims.

Apply for FEMA assistance only at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 — FEMA never charges fees.

Disaster victims

U.S.

storm chaser contractor scam

Unlicensed contractors travel to disaster-affected areas, demand large upfront payments for emergency repairs, then perform shoddy work or disappear without completing the job.

Verify any contractor's license, insurance, and references through your state's contractor licensing board before signing anything.

Homeowners

U.S.

fake Red Cross donation scam

Scammers impersonate the American Red Cross after disasters, soliciting donations through fake websites, phone calls, and social media that divert funds from legitimate relief efforts.

Donate to the Red Cross only through redcross.org (US), redcross.ca (Canada), or redcross.org.uk (UK).

Donors

U.S.

disaster GoFundMe fraud scam

Scammers create fraudulent crowdfunding campaigns after natural disasters using stolen photos and fabricated stories, pocketing donations meant for disaster victims.

Donate to established disaster relief organizations rather than individual crowdfunding campaigns unless you personally know the recipient.

Donors

U.S.

fake insurance adjuster scam

Scammers pose as insurance adjusters after disasters, requesting personal and policy information from homeowners, then filing fraudulent claims or stealing identity data.

Contact your insurance company directly to confirm any adjuster visit, and ask for the adjuster's license number to verify with your state insurance department.

Homeowners

U.S.

emergency supply price gouging scam

Sellers dramatically inflate prices on essential supplies like water, generators, fuel, and building materials in disaster-affected areas, exploiting victims' desperate need.

Document the inflated prices with photos and receipts and report to your state attorney general, as price gouging is illegal in most states during declared emergencies.

Disaster victims

U.S.

fake evacuation notice scam

Scammers send fake emergency evacuation alerts via text, email, or social media to create panic, then use the opportunity to burglarize evacuated homes or phish for personal information.

Verify evacuation orders through official sources: local emergency management, NOAA Weather Radio, or your county's emergency alert system.

Residents

U.S.

disaster loan advance fee scam

Scammers pose as SBA disaster loan agents or private lenders, promising fast approval for disaster relief loans in exchange for upfront application fees that are never refunded.

Apply for SBA disaster loans only at sba.gov/disaster or by visiting a local SBA disaster center — the SBA never charges application fees.

Small business owners

U.S.

fake utility restoration scam

Scammers impersonate utility companies after disasters, calling or texting residents to demand payment for expedited power, water, or gas restoration that would otherwise happen through normal recovery operations.

Utility companies never charge fees to prioritize restoration — call your utility directly using the number on your bill to verify any communication.

Homeowners

U.S.

missing person donation scam

Scammers exploit natural disasters by creating fake fundraisers for supposedly missing persons, using stolen photos and fabricated stories to collect donations from concerned members of the public.

Share missing person reports only from verified sources such as local police departments, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, or official emergency management agencies.

Social media users