by

Michael D. Ponce

Last Updated May 19, 2011 In Personal Injury, The Community

Tennessee Disaster Victims Beware of Fraudulent FEMA Scammers

People who have been enduring the horrible flooding and tornadoes in Tennessee have already been through more than enough struggle and stress. In times like these, when nerves are frayed, exhaustion dominates and people are sick and tired of being worried about their safety, their homes and their belongings, the last thing they need is another headache. Unfortunately, that’s what some people are encountering as they seek the help of Tennessee personal injury lawyers after they realize that they may have been scammed by people posing as FEMA employees.

FEMA Identity Scam

According to several reports, there are people out there who are putting on FEMA uniforms, or uniforms that are designed to look like FEMA uniforms, and showing up at the homes of disaster survivors pretending to be there to help. However, they are not there to help, but rather to steal in most situations. Even when people feel as though they have lost everything, they can still have their identities stolen and used for financial gain by others.

Several governmental entities have put out the word to anyone who is in the area that if someone approaches you and/or your home unannounced and claims to be with FEMA, you should treat that situation with the utmost in suspicion. What these people have been doing is claiming to be with FEMA and then asking those who have survived these natural disasters for their personal and private information so that they can ‘advance their case.’

Difference Between FEMA Scammers and Legitimate FEMA Employees

People who are legitimately with FEMA will not arrive at someone’s home without a pre-set appointment, and they will already have all of the information they need regarding the homeowner and his or her personal information to make sure that their situations move forward properly. If you don’t have an appointment with FEMA, don’t provide any information to anyone who asks for it.

If you have been the victim of this type of theft, you may have legal rights that need to be explored. Contact the Tennessee personal injury attorneys at Michael D. Ponce & Associates today to schedule a free initial consultation.