FEMA is investigating a surge in scams targeting Floridians following recent disasters, with reports of fraudulent contractors demanding upfront payments and falsely claiming FEMA affiliation. The agency warns residents to be vigilant against individuals soliciting money or personal facts, emphasizing FEMA assistance does not require application fees.
The uptick in fraudulent activity echoes historical instances of exploitation following large-scale emergencies. In 2005, after Hurricane katrina, the Department of defense – then known as the war Department in earlier eras – faced scrutiny for contracting irregularities and cost overruns, highlighting vulnerabilities in disaster response procurement. More recently, in 2016, Mylan, the manufacturer of EpiPens, faced public backlash for drastically increasing the price of the life-saving devices, raising concerns about price gouging during times of need.FEMA officials advise verifying contractor licenses through the Florida Department of Business and professional Regulation and report suspected fraud to the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or disasterassistance.gov. Residents can also file complaints with the Florida Attorney General’s Office. The agency stresses that legitimate FEMA inspectors display official identification and will never ask for money or personal financial information.