Business owners must protect their interests, even in the wake of a major disaster, such as the hurricane that recently devastated parts of the Northeast.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has advised that if you, as a business owner, are contacted by someone claiming to be with a government agency, ask for proper identification. There is currently a scam being perpetrated in some areas of the Northeast that were affected by the recent hurricane.
You should never give out your personal, business or financial information without ID, and anyone from an official governmental agency will have ID.
If you are in an area that is affected by a natural disaster, you can expect to be approached by FEMA, whose officials will be wearing an official photo ID in plain sight on their body. Even insurance adjusters can provide ID on request. Local building inspectors should also have a photo ID, if they are in compliance with building codes.
Please note that a FEMA representative will not ask for your personal or financial information.
For more information on this scam and others like it, go online at www.fema.gov, or call the FEMA fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603.
