In the aftermath of nearly every disaster, survivors should be alert for con artists and opportunists trying to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud, scams or identity theft.In some cases, thieves have tried to register with FEMA using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from other people.The most common post-disaster fraud practices include phony housing inspectors, fraudulent building contractors, bogus pleas for disaster donations and fake offers of state or federal aid.No individual from a state or federal disaster assistance agency will call or text asking...

Official website of the Department of Homeland SecurityOriginal linkOriginal author: taronda.gibbons

Oklahoma City, OK – State and federal recovery officials urge residents affected by the disaster to watch for and report any suspicious activity or potential fraud.As government agencies and charitable groups begin providing disaster assistance, scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals may attempt to prey on vulnerable survivors. The most common post-disaster fraud practices include phony housing inspectors, fraudulent building contractors, bogus pleas for disaster donations and fake offers of state or federal aid.Local, state, tribal and federal government officials advise all residents that no individual with a government disaster...

Oklahoma City, OK – Joint state/federal Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) are opening Friday, June 14 at Sand Springs in Tulsa County and at Fort Gibson in Muskogee County.A DRC offers in-person support to individuals and businesses in counties included in the Oklahoma federal disaster declaration for severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that began on May 7, 2019.Recovery specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) will be at the centers to talk about assistance and...

Denton, Texas – Revised preliminary flood risk information and updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) based on community provided data are available for review by residents and business owners in Llano County, TX. Officials encourage property owners to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. Community stakeholders can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and participate in appeal and comment periods for the maps. The new flood hazard information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been generated in...