INDIANS — Following recent disasters in Indiana, federal and state officials are urging survivors to stay vigilant against scam artists, identity thieves, and fraudulent contractors looking to exploit recovery efforts.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials stress that assistance with filing disaster applications—whether through federal or state programs—is completely free. Residents should be wary of any individual or service demanding fees to help submit paperwork.
Identifying Official FEMA Inspectors
Survivors who have applied for disaster relief can expect a call to schedule a home inspection within roughly 10 days. Inspectors will make multiple attempts to connect and may call from an unknown or hidden phone number.
To spot scammers impersonating officials, FEMA outlines key security standards:
- Identification: Legitimate inspectors always display official government badges. Survivors should always ask to see identification before permitting access.
- No Financial Requests: Inspectors never request bank information or charge inspection fees.
- No Nine-Digit Registration Requests: Official inspectors already have an applicant’s nine-digit registration number and will never ask for it.
If there is any doubt regarding an inspector’s identity, applicants can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to verify.
Protecting Against Fake Aid Offers and Identity Theft
Disaster recovery agencies, including FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration, never charge application fees or request cash deposits in exchange for grant approvals. Survivors are advised to verify that disaster-related emails come from legitimate township, county, or state officials before clicking links or sharing personal data.
Identity thieves may also attempt to file fake applications using stolen names, addresses, or Social Security numbers. If an unrequested inspector arrives at your home or if you receive official FEMA mail without having applied, inform the inspector immediately and call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (available daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET) to report the misuse.
For approved applicants who opt for digital relief payouts, legitimate notification emails will originate from no-reply@digitalpayouts.com. Although the payout portal does not end in .gov, it is an official, trusted partner site.
Hiring Contractors and Reporting Fraud
When repairing property damage, homeowners should rely on verified local contractors with established references. Best practices include:
- Requiring detailed written contracts and guarantees for all work.
- Never paying more than half the total cost of repairs upfront.
How to Report Suspicious Activity
Survivors who suspect fraud, corruption, or mismanagement can report incidents through several channels:
- FEMA Investigations: Email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov.
- Disaster Fraud Centers: File a report with the National Center for Disaster Fraud or the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General.
- State Resources: Contact the Indiana Consumer Protection Division or visit in.gov/DHS/get-preparied/general-safety/scams/.
Survivors who suspect civil rights discrimination based on race, age, disability, income, or other factors can contact FEMA-CR-Intake@fema.dhs.gov or call 1-800-621-3362.
