COLUMBUS, Ohio (AVC News) — Ohioans affected by the August storms, tornadoes and flooding are being warned to watch for disaster-related scams, including fraudulent applications for federal assistance and impostors posing as government officials.
Fraudulent activity often increases after disasters, with scammers attempting to steal money or personal information from people seeking help with damaged homes and property.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration and other federal and state disaster workers will never ask for money or require payment in any form, according to the warning.
Residents should also be cautious if someone claims to be a FEMA inspector or representative. FEMA personnel carry official identification badges, and residents should ask to see identification before providing information.
Warning Signs Of Fraud
If a FEMA inspector arrives at a home when the resident has not applied for assistance, someone may have used the resident’s information to submit a fraudulent application. Residents should tell the inspector they did not apply so the agency can stop processing the application.
Anyone who receives a FEMA letter despite not applying for assistance should call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to report the issue.
Residents should also be wary of unexpected phone calls or visits from people claiming to represent FEMA. Although inspectors may ask applicants to verify personal information, they do not collect or ask residents to confirm banking information.
Anyone unsure whether a call or visit is legitimate can contact the FEMA Helpline to verify the person’s identity.
How To Report Suspected Fraud
Anyone who believes they have been targeted by a scam should report it to their local police or sheriff’s department.
Suspected fraud involving FEMA disaster relief can also be reported to FEMA’s Investigations and Inspections Division at StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov. Complaints involving fraud, waste, abuse or misconduct can be submitted to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General.
Additional reporting options include the National Center for Disaster Fraud and IdentityTheft.gov, which provides assistance to victims of identity theft.
More information about disaster-related fraud is available at FEMA.gov.
Last Updated on October 19, 2026 by AVC News
