Disaster Relief Scammers, South Carolina 2019

As the 2019 hurricane season kicks off, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issues a stern warning to South Carolinians: be on guard against fraudulent activities targeting disaster victims. With the Atlantic Hurricane Season officially underway from June 1 through November 30, the DOJ reminds the public that fraudsters are ready to exploit vulnerable individuals during times of crisis.

“Committing fraud against natural disaster victims is an inexcusable crime,” said Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen. The DOJ stands committed to ferreting out such schemes and aggressively prosecuting those responsible. Through the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF), they are working tirelessly to safeguard Americans from falling prey to these deplorable scams.

Established after Hurricane Katrina, the NCDF serves as a central hub for disaster fraud complaints, coordinating with over 20 federal, state, and local agencies. It operates a call center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, dedicated to handling an expected surge of complaints during hurricane season.

In response to recent natural disasters, including storms, tornadoes, flooding across the Midwest, Typhoon Wutip in Guam, and severe winter storms in Oregon and California, the DOJ has established task forces in affected districts. These task forces are composed of local, state, and federal agencies working together to combat disaster fraud.

U.S. Attorney Brandon J. Fremin, Executive Director of NCDF, emphasized the importance of reporting suspected fraud: “Do not let disaster strike twice. Report suspected disaster fraud to the NCDF, where our skilled staff is ready to address the anticipated volume of complaints.”

Examples of illegal activity reported to the NCDF and law enforcement include impersonation of federal officials, identity theft, fraudulent insurance claims, charity scams, high-profit investment schemes, price gouging, contractor fraud, debris removal fraud, theft, looting, and violent acts. The DOJ and NCDF are steadfast in their mission to ensure each report is directed to the appropriate investigative agency.