Scams and Fraud or on the Rise in Texas Since Winter Storm

Scams are reportedly on the rise in Texas since the February winter storms. State and federal recovery officials urge disaster survivors to watch for and report any suspicious activity or potential fraud.

Scam attempts can be made over the phone, by mail, email, through the internet, or in person. Remember:  Don’t wire money or pay with reloadable debit cards or gift cards.

• Don’t offer personal financial information over the phone. Know who you are dealing with and always ask for identification.
• In Texas, contractors are required to provide a Notice of Cancellation — which gives you the right to change your mind within three business days — if the transaction occurs in your home.
• Get the agreement in writing. Read the contract carefully, and never sign a contract with blank spaces to be filled.

REPORT FRAUD

• Potential fraud should be reported to your local law enforcement agency. You may also call the Texas Office of the Attorney General at 800-621-0508 or the free FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, 24 hours a day.

FREE REPAIR RESOURCES

Texans impacted by severe winter storms can find free resources from FEMA for repairing safer, stronger, and more resilient online at https://fema.connectsolutions.com/txmit

or in Spanish at https://fema.connectsolutions.com/tx-es-mit

Mitigation specialists are also available 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday-Saturday CST by email at FEMA-TXMit@fema.dhs.gov  or by phone at 833-FEMA-4-US 833-336-2487.