FEMA, TEMA warn of Sevier County fire scams

Jan. 03--GATLINBURG -- The hunt is on for scam artists who might try to turn the Sevier County firestorm recovery into personal moneymakers.

"In the wake of a disaster, it's common to see the generous side of human nature," said Patrick Sheehan. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) director. "Unfortunately, there are also those people who may try to take advantage of victims during this stressful time."

A joint press release from TEMA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Tuesday warned Sevier County residents to beware of scams and frauds in the wake of the Nov. 28 fire that damaged or destroyed more than 2,460 structures in Sevier County.

The release comes after other agencies such as the Tennessee Secretary of State's office have also warned of scam artists.

Few, if any, scams have been documented thus far, although there have been numerous unofficial reports.

"I haven't heard of any official complaints, but we have heard stories of people in FEMA shirts going to damaged dwellings and giving incorrect information," FEMA spokeswoman Bettina Hutchings said. "Anyone who works for FEMA will have a FEMA ID and most will have the ID hanging around their neck."

A story was published on the News Sentinel website, knoxnews.com, on Dec. 6 of a scam operated by a phony T-shirt manufacturer causing the manufacturer to shut down its web page in early December. That scam caused some trouble for legitimate T-shirt relief fund drives, such as one co-sponsored by the News Sentinel and WBIR-TV.

Chris Wilkinson of Knoxville started a Facebook page called "SCAMS to AVOID Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Fire Survivors" several days after the fire.

"I lived in Tuscaloosa in 2011 when they had the tornadoes hit," he said. "The area fell victim to a lot of scam artists -- a lot of contractors coming in who offered to do things before their insurance checks came in. A lot of people lost money to people like that. They either took money and never came back or did slipshod work. There was one guy who apparently makes a career of following disasters to do benefit concerts that never happen."

He said his wife was the motivation for the page and other relief work he has done.

"My wife is from Gatlinburg and after the fire she was beside herself. She felt so helpless and wanted to do something," he said. "So, I started this."

The page is not affiliated with any government agency. It is mainly a place where people can post usually unverified reports of potential scams.

One post mentioned panhandlers claiming to be victims of the fire and looking for money on street corners.

Wilkinson had his own post that reads: "We are also getting reports of bad contractors that are bogus moving into the area to take advantage of the influx of insurance and FEMA money."

Another states that some people who received items from the various distribution centers opened after the fires are trying to exchange them for money at various stores.

Wilkinson said he had also heard of people trying to collect $1,000 checks from the Dolly Parton "My People Fund" on residences they did not own.

In the release Tuesday, FEMA and TEMA officials noted that if you suspect someone is perpetrating fraud, call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721. Complaints may also be made to local law enforcement agencies.

"FEMA reports fraud and scams to the Inspector General and the local police departments," Hutchings said. "FEMA does not investigate the charges; we leave that to the Law Enforcement Agencies."

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