Be aware of storm relief scammers after Hurricane Helene

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is aware that there may be scammers looking to take advantage of those impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Anyone with information about an individual posing as a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contractor should report this to local law enforcement. Reserve 911 for emergencies.

Contact the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) directly to report flood claims at 1-800-427-4219 or visit www.floodsmart.gov for additional information on the NFIP claim process.

To report fraud, call 1-800-95-FRAUD.

FEMA does not certify or endorse contractors. Any contractor who claims they are FEMA certified is lying.

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews, housing inspectors and other officials working in areas impacted by Tropical Storm Helene will carry official photo identification badges.

FEMA representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications. Their services are free. Do not believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment.

Don't give banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector. FEMA inspectors are never authorized to collect your personal financial information.

If a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to create a FEMA application. If this happens, please inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application.

If you did not apply for assistance but receive a letter from FEMA, please call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The helpline will submit a request to stop further processing of that application. If you do want to apply for FEMA assistance after stopping an application made in your name without your knowledge, the helpline will assist you in creating a new application.

If you have knowledge of fraud, waste or abuse, you can report these tips – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.

You can also email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov to report a tip. For the latest information about South Carolina’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4829. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.

Resources for a variety of concerns related to Hurricane Helene relief can be found through the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) at: www.scemd.org.

There are multiple state agencies providing safety guidance on how to spot a hurricane relief services scam.

South Carolina's price gouging law is in effect. Price fluctuations are to be expected, but if you see a price you think is gouging, report it on the South Carolina Attorney General’s website https://www.scag.gov/price-gouging/ or by calling 803-737-3953. The agency will need the name and address of the business along with pictures of the business, price and your contact information.

The South Carolina Department of Insurance (SC DOI) is urging neighbors who may need home repairs to make sure the contractor you hire for home repairs is legitimate. SC DOI recommends checking online reviews and find out if there are complaints against the contractor with the Better Business Bureau. Consumers are encouraged to contact the South Carolina Department of Insurance’s Office of Consumer Services at 803-737-6180 or visit doi.sc.gov for more information and for helpful tips on navigating the claims process. For more information from the SC DOI, visit www.doi.sc.gov.

The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (SC LLR) is urging consumers to be wary of property repair scams. The South Carolina Residential Builders Commission highlights two common issues: overpaying in advance and hiring unlicensed contractors. The unlicensed practice of building in South Carolina is a misdemeanor, punishable by jail time or a fine as per S.C. Code Ann. § 40-59-200 and § 40-11-200. For more information from the SC LLR, visit www.llr.sc.gov.

If you or someone you know is struggling with emotional distress after Hurricane Helene, the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a Disaster Distress Helpline for calls/texts at 1-800-985-5990. Help from trained crisis counselors is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Calls are free. Standard data/text messaging rates may apply for the texting service. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing and for whom American Sign Language (ASL) is the primary or preferred language, use a videophone-enabled device to call 1-800-985-5990 or click on “ASL Now” at www.disasterdistress.samhsa.gov to be connected with a DDH crisis worker fluent in ASL. For Spanish, call or text 1-800-985-5990 and press “2.” Para español, llame o envíe un mensaje de texto al 1-800-985-5990 y presione "2.”

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