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Category: Fraud Prevention

Surviving the Storm: 9 Tips for Avoiding Post-Disaster Scams

Scammers use natural disasters to prey on people who need help. But these steps can help keep your money and information secure.

By Doug Segrest | March 25, 2024

A storm’s coming, which is a fact of life in the U.S. when seasonal changes bring volatile weather.

So, take a few steps now to prepare for the unexpected – and keep safe from scammers that prey on people after natural disasters hit. We call it surviving the storm.

“In the world we live in, criminals try to take advantage of the most vulnerable,” said Adam Perino, Regions’ Cyber Threat Intelligence lead. “Regions is here to help, especially after a storm. But you should always beware of those who reach out to you offering disaster assistance in exchange for your financial and personal information.”

Before natural disaster strikes, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with some best practices.

 

9 Tips for Surviving the Storm

 

  • If you have damage from a storm, be skeptical of anyone offering you services or free money following a disaster. If you need assistance, you should reach out to trusted organizations for help.
  • If you need immediate work done, don’t pay large amounts up front. A reputable contractor will be able to foot the bill for materials.
  • Do not provide personal or business information unless you are certain of a person’s authority and need to have the information.
  • Scammers will often send malicious emails impersonating aid organizations, news reports or similar groups relevant to the disaster. It is important to review any link in an email. If you do need help from the purported organization, reach out to them directly.
  • Do not send sensitive information over the internet until you’ve verified you are using a trusted site. Pay attention to the website address. Malicious websites may look identical to legitimate sites but often use a variation in spelling or a different domain (such as .net, .biz or a non-U.S. country code).
  • At work, be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls or email messages from individuals asking about employees or other internal information. If someone claims to be from a legitimate organization, verify their identity by contacting the company directly.
  • Moving forward, install and maintain anti-virus software, firewalls and email filters to reduce malicious traffic.
  • Don’t throw away electronic devices that have sensitive information. You can keep personal information out of the hands of opportunistic data thieves by destroying hard drives, SIM cards and anything else that could potentially hold sensitive data.
  • Keep a backup of key passwords, insurance policy numbers and financial accounts in a secure location.

 

Even if you haven’t been affected by a disaster personally, you may want to help others. Again, think before you act.

“It’s natural to want to help, but be careful who you donate money to,” Perino said. “It’s best to stick with organizations that have a trusted track record, such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, United Way or a local church.”

 

Additional Resources on Surviving Post-Storm Scams:

  • The FCC: After Storms, Watch Out for Scams
  • Consumer Reports: Protect Yourself from Post-Storm Scams
  • AARP: After the Storm Contractor Fraud

 

Related Articles from Doing More Today:

  • Imposter Text Scams: 6 Tips to Fight Back
  • Fighting Fraud, Keeping Nonprofits Safe
  • Tax Fraud Red Flags: 6 News Tips from the BBB
  • Love Gone Wrong: How to Spot a Romance Scam

 

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.
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