Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried & FDACS: Stay Alert to Scams During Hurricane Season

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, June 2 -- The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued the following news release:

June 1 is the official start of hurricane season, and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the state's consumer protection agency, are joining the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in reminding consumers to stay alert to disaster-related scams.

"Getting prepared, staying safe, and recovering from a hurricane are enormous challenges - the last thing anyone needs when disaster strikes is a scammer stealing their hard-earned money or personal identity. I urge all Floridians to prepare for an active hurricane season, which includes guarding themselves against disaster-related scams," said Commissioner Fried. "As Florida's consumer protection agency, our Division of Consumer Services is working hard to prevent these predatory practices. To help stay alert, visit FloridaConsumerHelp.com for tools and helpful information."

Dealing with the aftermath of a hurricane or other disaster is never easy, but knowing how to recognize and avoid the following common scams can help you protect your finances and personal information.

Clean-up and repair scams: After disasters, unlicensed contractors and scammers may appear with promises of quick repairs, clean-up, and debris removal. Some may demand upfront payment and not do the work, claim you'll get a discount but quote outrageous prices, or lack needed skills. Before you do business with any company providing these services:

* Do your research: Ask for IDs, licenses, proof of insurance, and references. See if local contact information is on their trucks. Check with FDACS' Division of Consumer Services for complaints.

* Get another estimate: Check if other companies offering similar services are providing quotes with comparable prices.

* Review contracts carefully: Ensure all promises a company makes are in writing and that you understand what you're signing.

* Never use cash: Always pay with a check or a credit card and never make the final payment until the work is complete.

Imposter scams: Imposter scams come in many varieties but often work the same way, a scammer pretends to be someone you trust and tries to convince you to send them money or personal information:

* Posing as government: Some scammers pretend to be government officials, inspectors, or utility workers who say immediate work is required. Always ask to see an ID. If anyone asks you for payment or your financial information, it's a scam.

* No fees: Note that FEMA does not charge application fees. If someone wants money to help you qualify for FEMA funds, it may be a scam.

Job scams: Scammers often advertise in the same places as real employers and job placement firms, but they lie about your chances of getting a job and often ask you to pay before you get one -- which is a sure sign of a scam. Authentic resources to locate job opportunities after a disaster:

* CareerOneStop: Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, CareerOneStop lists hundreds of thousands of jobs.

* State and county offices: The state's Jobs.MyFlorida.com site or Career Source Florida may have job listings.

* Colleges: College career service offices have helpful resources. If you're not a current or former student, some schools may still let you access their job listing resources.

Rental listing scams: If you're looking for a place to live, avoid anyone asking you to wire money or who asks for security deposits or rent before you've met or signed a lease.

* False listing: Some scammers hijack a real listing by changing the email address or other contact information and posting a modified ad. Try googling some the information in a listing to see where else it's posted and if the contact information is the same.

* Verify addresses: Other scammers create listings for places that aren't for rent or don't even exist. Try searching the address and contact information provided to verify it's legitimate.

Disaster charity scams: Scammers will often try to take advantage of the misfortune of others, including when disasters strike. Review FDACS consumer tips on donating wisely and avoiding charity scams.

What should consumers do?

* File a consumer complaint: To file a complaint, complete our online form or call 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832) en Espanol.

* Share your story: Share your story with friends and family or on social media to help others avoid falling victim.

* Review our consumer resources: Consumers can find helpful tips and recourse on our website: FloridaConsumerHelp.com.

You may also contact the FTC about it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The Federal Trade Commission is a partner agency to FDACS at the federal level and also has helpful consumer information on how to avoid scams.