Jun 21st, 2022
It's early summer and time to get prepared for the hurricane season. The aftermath of a hurricane can leave some people most vulnerable as they try to restore their loss. Scammers realize this so they prey heavily in those communities hit the hardest. The MPD Financial Crimes Unit urges residents to be smart in recognizing hurricane season scammers.
"We don't want our residents to become a victim twice, first by the disaster and second by heartless scammers," said Financial Crimes Investigator Corporal Matthew Degeer. "While our community prepares for the worst but hopes for the best, protecting personal information and finances should also be top of mind."
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can make cases on scammers who use weather emergencies to cheat people. Know what to look for and learn how to stop these scammers. For example, be cautious if a contractor makes promises of quick repairs and asks for money upfront before completing the job. If the contractor cannot present an ID or licenses, it is likely a scam.
According to the FTC, some scammers pretend to be government officials, safety inspectors or utility workers who try to convince that immediate work is required. If they ask for money or financial information, like your bank account or credit card number, it’s a scam.
"Sharing scam experiences helps protect the entire community," Corporal Degeer said. "Sometimes when people fall for the scam they keep quiet about it, maybe out of shame. But don't cover up for the scammer. Speaking up helps prevent others from being victims to these sorts of financial crimes."
Report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
MOBILE POLICE DEPARTMENT