Scams to avoid, what to do

As work continues to help Western North Carolina and the surrounding region move forward in the aftermath of the Hurricane Helene storms, steps are being taken to ensure those affected by the flooding do not fall victim to scams.

More than 220 people across the Southeast have died since the storm made landfall on Sept. 26, and hundreds of thousands are still without power. Efforts to take advantage of people seeking help through fraud are not uncommon in the aftermath of major national disasters, despite efforts taken by authorities to help — earlier this week, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein said his office had already fielded more than 200 complaints about price gouging.

Nearly 200,000 people in North Carolina were still without power as of Sunday morning, and ongoing cleanup efforts won’t conclude any time soon. In the meantime, here’s a quick look at potential scams to avoid and how to spot them.

Common scams

➤ FEMA fraud — If you’re in contact with a representative from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, ensure the person you’re talking to is who they claim to be. FEMA employees are not authorized to collect personal financial information, according to the agency, but scammers posing as FEMA agents have in the past tried to collect money or personal information from people impacted by natural disasters.

➤ False fundraisers — Some online fundraisers seeking to raise money for victims may not be what they seem. The North Carolina Department of Justice said crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe are often used in money-raising schemes. Try to research them before you contribute and verify the identity of the organizer if possible.

➤ Repair rackets — The attorney general’s office in hard-hit Georgia noted fraud following storms often comes in the form of scam artists posing as home repair workers who charge for services and then disappear before doing the work. Avoid door-to-door offers and contractors who ask for money up-front or only accept cash, the office recommended, and do not allow potential contractors to convince you to file fake reports to insurance companies.

➤ Theft by text — Officials in Buncombe County said they’ve received reports of landowners and survivors being contacted via text messages or social media offering to buy land quickly for cash. Don’t respond. Delete and block phone numbers that contact you with such offers, the officials recommended, and consult with verified sources.

How to avoid scams

Potential scams often appear sophisticated and can be tough to avoid. But disaster relief organizations have tips on how you can help yourself.

The Better Business Bureau documents legitimate companies and charities, with ratings and history available on its website. Stein also recommended checking business licenses with the Secretary of State’s office or calling the Attorney General’s Office at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM for guidance on whether a company is legitimate, while the Georgia attorney general said give.org and charitynavigator.org are good resources for researching charities.

FEMA does not ask for money in order to qualify for relief funds, and legitimate agents carry photo identification badges. Alerts and additional information about services are accessed more easily through its mobile app. The FEMA Helpline is also open at 800-621-3362.

How to get help

If you live in North Carolina and believe you’ve been a victim of a scam, contact local police or the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office via 877-566-7226 or ncdoj.gov/protecting-consumers. If you’re aware of efforts at fraud or scams, report them to FEMA’s Disaster Fraud Hotline via 866-720-5721 or StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov.

Additional resources for people who have been impacted by the storms are available on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ website.

Related:Your quick guide to finding essentials in Asheville after flooding from Helene

Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@gannett.com.