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Disaster Fraud Soars Amid Natural Disasters
As the nation braces for another hurricane season, a growing number of scammers are preying on vulnerable victims, taking advantage of their desperation and goodwill in the aftermath of natural disasters.
Committing fraud against natural disaster victims is an inexcusable crime, said Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. We are now in hurricane season, and it is important for people to be on the lookout for fraudsters who seek to profit from natural disasters through identity theft schemes and solicitations for fake charities. The Department of Justice is committed to detecting this type of fraud, and we will aggressively prosecute the offenders.
The National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF), a national coordinating agency within the Department’s Criminal Division, operates a call center at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and serves as a centralized clearinghouse for disaster fraud complaints and information relating to both natural and man-made disasters. The NCDF seeks to improve and further the detection, prevention, investigation, and prosecution of fraud related to natural and man-made disasters, and to advocate for victims of such fraud.
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, and contractor fraud, among others. In ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships and better inform the American people of its mission, the NCDF has joined with Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who was recently installed as the President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), in an effort to spread the message of the NCDF to more of our partners nationwide.
Numerous U.S. Attorney Offices in districts impacted by recent hurricanes have established task forces comprised of local, state and federal agencies in their respective areas to combat disaster fraud. The NCDF has an excellent staff of investigators, analysts, call center operators, and managers who are dedicated to protecting victims of disaster fraud.
The public is reminded to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 1-866-720-5721 or via email at [disaster@leo.gov](mailto:disaster@leo.gov). If you are a victim of disaster fraud, you can also report it to your local authorities or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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