The National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) along with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the District of Puerto Rico, Southern District of Florida, Middle District of Florida and Northern District of Florida have formed four task forces comprised of local, state and federal agencies in their respective areas to combat Hurricane Irma related illegal activity.
The NCDF and U.S. Attorneys in those districts urge residents and businesses to immediately report suspected fraudulent activity relating to recovery and cleanup operations, fake charities claiming to be providing relief for victims, individuals submitting false claims for disaster relief and any other disaster fraud related activity.
The U.S. Department of Justice established the National Center for Disaster Fraud to investigate, prosecute, and deter fraud in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when billions of dollars in federal disaster relief poured into the Gulf Coast region.
Its mission has expanded to include suspected fraud from any natural or manmade disaster.
More than 30 federal, state, and local agencies participate in the National Center for Disaster Fraud, which allows the center to act as a centralized clearinghouse of information related to disaster relief fraud.
While compassion, assistance, and solidarity are generally prevalent in the aftermath of natural disasters, unscrupulous individuals and organizations also use these tragic events to take advantage of those in need.
In the wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the NCDF has already received more than 400 complaints.
(Like clockwork, every national disaster sees extraordinary acts of heroism as well as remarkable acts of piracy. According to Gizmodo, US-CERT, the US government’s chief agency responsible for detecting and minimizing cyber threats, issued an advisory on Monday warning about the proliferation of online scams in the wake of Harvey. Courtesy of Wochit News and YouTube)
Examples of illegal activity being reported to the NCDF and law enforcement include:
- Impersonation of federal law enforcement officials
- Identity theft
- Fraudulent submission of claims to insurance companies and the federal government
- Fraudulent activity related to solicitations for donations and charitable giving
- Fraudulent activity related to individuals and organizations promising high investment returns from profits from recovery and cleanup efforts
- Price gouging
- Theft, looting, and other violent crime
“Unfortunately, criminals can exploit disasters, such as Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, for their own gain by sending fraudulent communications through email or social media and by creating phony websites designed to solicit contributions,” said Acting Executive Director Corey R. Amundson of the National Center for Disaster Fraud.
“Once the NCDF receives a complaint, it routes the complaints to the appropriate federal, state, or local law enforcement agency in the appropriate jurisdiction.”
“In the process, we are able to de-conflict and identify trends, national schemes, and offenders operating in multi-jurisdictions.”
“The Justice Department will aggressively pursue those who commit disaster fraud.”
“Our efforts are directed at enforcing a zero tolerance policy,” said U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez for the District of Puerto Rico.
“In the midst of the distress and losses caused by Hurricane Irma and the attending need for recovery and rebuilding, there can be no place for fraud and abuse.”
“As our South Florida community recovers from Hurricane Irma, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and our law enforcement partners stand ready to investigate and prosecute in federal court anyone who seeks to re-victimize, defraud or exploit the individuals and businesses in need,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg for the Southern District of Florida.
“Our united enforcement front will work hard to combat criminal activity, including fraud schemes associated with the hurricane’s devastation.”
“Our mission is to ensure that federal, state and local programs, as well as reputable public and charitable assistance initiatives reach those struck by the impact of our recent natural disaster and are not fraudulently diverted to the criminals’ pockets.”
“We will aggressively investigate and prosecute anyone who seeks to defraud or exploit the federal assistance programs established to help individuals, families, or businesses that have lost so much as a result of Hurricane Irma,” said Acting U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the Middle District of Florida.
“Our Office will continue to protect the rights of our honest citizens affected by this disaster and ensure that they receive the necessary public and charitable assistance they deserve.
“If you suspect any fraud, we urge you to call the NCDF Hotline.”
“Our efforts to combat fraud associated with Hurricane Irma will supplement the outstanding and ongoing efforts by the State of Florida and Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.”
“We do not tolerate fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Christopher P. Canova for the Northern District of Florida.
“Individuals, families, and businesses have suffered, and will continue to suffer, tremendous losses. Emergency funds are needed to help them get back on their feet.”
“Dozens of agencies, investigators, and prosecutors are ready to respond to credible allegations of fraud and abuse. If you are aware of fraud, we urge you to call the National Disaster Fraud Hotline.”
Members of the public who suspect fraud, waste, abuse, or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief operations, or believe they have been the victim of fraud from a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of disaster victims, should contact the National Disaster Fraud Hotline toll free at (866) 720-5721.
The telephone line is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also fax information to the Center at (225) 334-4707, or email it to disaster@leo.gov(link sends e-mail).
Members of the public are reminded to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before giving contributions to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of disaster victims.
Solicitations can originate from e-mails, websites, door-to-door collections, mailings and telephone calls, and similar methods.
The National Center for Disaster Fraud
“Criminals can exploit disasters, such as Hurricane Harvey, for their own gain by sending fraudulent communications through e-mail or social media.”
National Center for Disaster Fraud
The National Center for Disaster Fraud offered these tips (among others) to individuals who are considering making donations:
- Donate to charities you know and trust.
- Designate the disaster to ensure your funds go toward disaster relief.
- Never click on links or open attachments in unsolicited e-mail.
- Don’t assume that charity messages posted on social media are legitimate. Research the organization.
- Verify the legitimacy of any e-mail solicitation by contacting the organization directly through a trusted contact number.
- Beware of organizations with copycat names similar to but not exactly the same as those of reputable charities.
- Avoid cash donations if possible. Pay by credit card or write a check directly to the charity. Do not make checks payable to individuals.
- Legitimate charities do not normally solicit donations via money transfer services. Most legitimate charity websites end in .org rather than .com.
- Make contributions directly, rather than relying on others to make a contribution on your behalf.
After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region in 2005, the immediate devastation was followed by years of complaints of fraud.
Learn more about the NCDF at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud.
Tips for the public on how to avoid being victimized of fraud are at https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/tips-avoiding-fraudulent-charitable-contribution-schemes.
