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Sheriff warns of phony FEMA inspectors
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| This badge show how a true FEMA inspector's badge should look. Applicants should use caution when divulging any of their personal information because it could be used by identity thieves. |
Liberty County Sheriff Greg Arthur is concerned that some people will fall victim to people posing as FEMA inspectors, so his office has issued the following warning. Arthur said that identification will be used by inspectors under FEMA contract.
FEMA has contracted with PB Inspections and PARR to do inspections of damage for the purpose of determining eligibility for assistance from loss caused by Hurricane Ike. Those contractors will have identification; a sample of PARR is shown. Both companies use the same format. There is no cost for this inspection and inspectors should not ask for any money.
The sample shows both sides of the badge. The ID number on the badge will always be a five-digit number. The PB Inspections badge ID number will begin with a P and have five digits.
FEMA has contracted with two companies to supply in excess of 2000 inspectors to inspect damage done by Hurricane Ike in the State of Texas. At the present time over 600 are here and doing inspections with the remainder to arrive before the end of the week.
Unfortunately in every disaster, individuals take advantage of victims and commit fraud by trying to pose as inspectors for FEMA to get personal information from the victims to use in identity theft scams. The criminals also attempt to collect money for doing fraudulent inspections,” said Brian Burke of the Texas Department of Health Services.
Inspectors will need to verify the following:
• The identity of the applicant
• A photo ID such as a driver’s license will be needed by the applicant
• Proof of occupancy at the time of the disaster
• Utility bill
• Merchant’s statement
If an owner:
• Proof of ownership
• Insurance policy showing structure insurance in the owner’s name
• Title
• Mortgage receipt
If a renter:
• Lease
• Utility bill in renter’s name
• Name and phone number of the landlord
All inspectors will have an electronic pad and all of the applicant’s information will be on the electronic pad. The inspector will show the electronic pad to the applicant and ask that they verify the information and will only collect information that the applicant states is incorrect on the electronic pad.
Anyone with further questions can contact the FEMA Security Office in Austin at 512-465-3721.
FEMA has contracted with PB Inspections and PARR to do inspections of damage for the purpose of determining eligibility for assistance from loss caused by Hurricane Ike. Those contractors will have identification; a sample of PARR is shown. Both companies use the same format. There is no cost for this inspection and inspectors should not ask for any money.
The sample shows both sides of the badge. The ID number on the badge will always be a five-digit number. The PB Inspections badge ID number will begin with a P and have five digits.
FEMA has contracted with two companies to supply in excess of 2000 inspectors to inspect damage done by Hurricane Ike in the State of Texas. At the present time over 600 are here and doing inspections with the remainder to arrive before the end of the week.
Unfortunately in every disaster, individuals take advantage of victims and commit fraud by trying to pose as inspectors for FEMA to get personal information from the victims to use in identity theft scams. The criminals also attempt to collect money for doing fraudulent inspections,” said Brian Burke of the Texas Department of Health Services.
Inspectors will need to verify the following:
• The identity of the applicant
• A photo ID such as a driver’s license will be needed by the applicant
• Proof of occupancy at the time of the disaster
• Utility bill
• Merchant’s statement
If an owner:
• Proof of ownership
• Insurance policy showing structure insurance in the owner’s name
• Title
• Mortgage receipt
If a renter:
• Lease
• Utility bill in renter’s name
• Name and phone number of the landlord
All inspectors will have an electronic pad and all of the applicant’s information will be on the electronic pad. The inspector will show the electronic pad to the applicant and ask that they verify the information and will only collect information that the applicant states is incorrect on the electronic pad.
Anyone with further questions can contact the FEMA Security Office in Austin at 512-465-3721.
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