Summary: In September 2022 Hurricane Ian, the fourth-largest storm in Florida's history, made landfall, with winds between 155 and 161 mph. Damages of over $112 billion ($109 billion of which were in Florida) gave Ian the dubious distinction of being the costliest storm in Florida's history. Spring 2023 wildfires in California resulted in some 3500 structure fires. And in August 2023 a wildfire destroyed the Maui (HI) town of Lahaina, resulting in an estimated $46 billion in property damage and business interruption loss.

Facing a loss is bad enough; the possibility of being the victim of fraud in the rebuilding process compounds the disaster. Following are some tips for the prudent to avoid being the target or a fraud or scam.

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Introduction

 In order to prevent potential fraud, awareness is key. Fraudsters could potentially pose as Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees, overcharge for tows and car repairs, and scam residents who desperately need home repairs. These fraudsters often arrive in a community that was greatly impacted by a natural disaster and attempt to scam distressed homeowners to pay upfront for untrustworthy repairs, for work that will ultimately never be performed. In general, it is important to shop around, beware of unsolicited recommendations, check credentials, and pay for work only when it has been completed.

Before the next disaster hits, review the Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Advice: "How to Avoid Disaster Recovery Scams" for several tips on fraud avoidance (FTC.gov). Another useful article is "Survivors: Beware of Fraud, Scams after Disasters" found here. 

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