As coastal communities monitor what is typically the height of hurricane season, it is important to remember how, unfortunately, scammers try to capitalize on confusion and concern – exploiting disasters and recoveries to get between people and their money.
At Regions Bank, helping customers and communities recover from natural disasters includes raising awareness about fraud schemes that frequently emerge before and after major storms. Fraudsters may pose as contractors, government agencies, charities, utility companies, insurance representatives or disaster-relief organizations to steal money or personal information.
“At Regions, our first concern is for your safety when disaster strikes,” said Jeff Taylor, senior vice president, Regions Corporate Banking Group. “And our commitment extends beyond the storm. A lot of people may emerge, offering help with repairs or other services. But they’re not always legitimate.
Scammers also specifically target businesses. We encourage everyone to be take a few extra minutes to verify who you’re dealing with.
Jeff Taylor, senior vice president, Regions Corporate Banking Group
“Scammers also specifically target businesses. We encourage everyone to be take a few extra minutes to verify who you’re dealing with.”
In addition to traditional disaster scams, the FBI warns criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence and social media to create convincing messages that appear to come from legitimate relief organizations, public officials, celebrities, or even survivors seeking help. The agency also cautions consumers to carefully scrutinize online fundraising and crowdfunding campaigns before making donations.
FBI Tips to Avoid Disaster Scams
The FBI and the National Center for Disaster Fraud recommend the following steps to help avoid becoming a victim:
- Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, text messages, emails, social media posts or door-to-door offers related to disaster relief or repairs. Verify the identity of anyone requesting personal information or payment.
- Government workers should carry official identification. If you’re unsure whether someone is legitimate, contact the agency directly using a publicly listed phone number.
- Research charities and relief organizations before donating. Review charity ratings, verify registrations and use trusted sources to confirm legitimacy.
- Be skeptical of online crowdfunding campaigns that lack clear information about who created the fundraiser, how donations will be used or who will ultimately receive the funds.
- Do not feel pressured to make immediate donations or payments. Requests that create urgency are often a warning sign of fraud.
- Never pay charitable donations or disaster-related fees using gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or other hard-to-trace payment methods. Credit cards generally provide greater consumer protection.
- Avoid clicking links or opening attachments from unknown sources. Instead, navigate directly to official websites to verify information.
- Remember that FEMA does not charge a fee to apply for disaster assistance. Anyone claiming they can expedite, guarantee or secure assistance in exchange for payment is likely a scammer.
“We’re generous by nature,” said Kimberly Reece, financial crimes customer advocacy manager at Regions Bank. “But before you donate, make sure you’re giving to a worthy cause, then share that information with family and friends, so they can make informed decisions. The goal is to get help to those who need it most.”
One final step: if you think you are a victim of a disaster scam, report it immediately to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Provide as much identifying information as possible (including the name of the charity, plus phone numbers, addresses and websites they use).
Additional Resources from Regions.com
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The information presented is general in nature and should not be considered, legal, accounting or tax advice. Regions reminds its customers that they should be vigilant about fraud and security and that they are responsible for taking action to protect their computer systems. Fraud prevention requires a continuous review of your policies and practices, as the threat evolves daily. There is no guarantee that all fraudulent transactions will be prevented or that related financial losses will not occur. Visit regions.com/STOPFRAUD or speak with your Banker for further information on how you can help prevent fraud.