NORTHWEST FLOODING- Recovering Without Getting Scammed

If your property has suffered flood damage, you are faced with cleanup, repairs, insurance claims, etc. You may need financial help and help from contractors to get your life back to what it was before the flood. Recovery after any disaster is a prime time for scammers to pounce.

Scammers can pretend to be anyone claiming to help you,

·         Fake contractors use high pressure tactics, asking for money up front or for insurance payments to be signed over to them. If they do work, it is shoddy. Many times, they take your money and disappear.

·         Scammers can pretend to be from the government, utilities, or insurance companies promising government grants, building permits, help to speed up insurance claims, or help to give you priority to reconnect you to electricity for a fee. Legitimate government, utility, or insurance employees will not ask for funds.

To protect yourself be sure to

·         Prepare in advance. Know what your insurance covers.

·         Before hiring a contractor, check them out. If a contractor shows up unsolicited, check the business name, phone number, and state contractor license number on their vehicle. Look up any contractor you are considering hiring, on the Washington State Labor and Industries web site-  https://www.lni.wa.gov/. You can also check any local business out with the Better Business Bureau at https://www.bbb.org/.

·         Check with your insurer before beginning any repairs to ensure that they will be covered and if the insurer has a preferred contractor.

·         Make sure you are working with genuine insurance agents. Check the license of anyone representing themselves as from an insurance company, including insurance adjusters with the Washington State Insurance Commissioner- https://www.insurance.wa.gov/.

·         Confirm that FEMA representatives are legitimate. FEMA agents do knock on doors to offer assistance. Ask to see their government-issued laminated photo badge.

If you are a victim of fraud while recovering from a disaster contact

·         The FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline- (866) 720-5721

·         FEMA’s Office of the Chief Security Officer- (866) 223-0814 or Tipline@fema.dhs.gov

·         FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center- IC3.gov

·         Washington State Attorney General’s Office- https://www.atg.wa.gov/

Following are resources to help you with your recovery from a flood.

 

Guidance for flood recovery-

 

Snohomish County:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/796/Flood-Information-Center

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/992/Tips---After-a-Flood

 

King County:

https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/flood-services/be-ready/flood-preparedness

https://flood.kingcounty.gov/

 

Washington State:

https://dfi.wa.gov/flood-resources

 

Ready.gov-

https://www.ready.gov/floods

 

KIRO TV-

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/what-do-if-you-find-mold-your-home-after-flood/2MWFLW6BOBA6DNZEKZKIVD47UY/

 

The Seattle Times:

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/wa-floods-tips-to-keep-you-safe-when-you-return-to-clean-your-property/

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/wa-flood-cleanup-guide-tips-for-safely-cleaning-home-car/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_campaign=owned_echobox_tw_m&utm_medium=social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1765721058

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/what-to-do-with-flood-debris-in-western-wa/

 

 Here is more information on avoiding Disaster Scams-

 

AARP:

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/disaster/

 

FEMA:

https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20250807/protect-your-identity-be-alert-fraud-and-scams-after-disaster

https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/myth-or-fact-misinformation-about-fema-disaster-assistance-can-hinder-recovery

https://www.fema.gov/about/offices/security/disaster-fraud

 

Federal Trade Commission:

https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/dealing-weather-emergencies

 

Better Business Bureau:

https://www.bbb.org/all/natural-disasters