Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency
Headline: Be Alert to Fraud After Tennessee’s Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes and Flooding
Be Alert to Fraud After Tennessee’s Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes and Flooding
Tennesseans should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after the April 2-24 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding
In some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from people affected by the disaster
If a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to apply for assistance
If this happens, please inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application
If you did not apply for assistance but you received a letter from FEMA, please call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 from 6 a
m
to 10 p
m
CT daily
Helpline specialists will submit a request to stop further processing of that application
If you want to apply for FEMA assistance after stopping an application made in your name without your knowledge, helpline specialists will assist you in creating a new application
ScamsFEMA housing inspectors and other officials will be working in areas impacted by April’s severe weather
They carry official photo identification badges
FEMA representatives never charge for disaster assistance, inspections or help filling out applications — their services are free
Don’t believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment
Don’t give your banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector
FEMA inspectors are never authorized to collect your personal financial information
If you believe you are the victim of a scam or price gouging, or you want to report a person or company for disaster relief scams or price gouging, contact your local police or sheriff’s department
You may also report it to the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs by calling 615-741-4737 or go online and file a fraud complaint at TN Division of Consumer Affairs
If you have knowledge of fraud, waste or abuse, you can report these tips – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721
You can also email StopFEMAFraud@fema
dhs
gov to report a tip
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Thu, 06/26/2025 – 12:58