SACRAMENTO, Calif. November 20, 2017 – If you did not register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following the October fires, but you are being contacted by phone or mail by FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), it’s a good bet your personal information has been compromised.
There has been a surge in fraudulent registrations this year. FEMA is notifying survivors and instituting additional verification and controls in cases where there was suspicious activity. The agency is committed to ensuring all claims for assistance from eligible applicants are reviewed and processed appropriately.
If you suspect your personal information has been compromised, immediately get in touch with FEMA at 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585 for TTY users. Applicants who use VRS or 711 can call 800-621-3362. You can also visit the nearest disaster recovery center or local assistance center to report your suspicions.
FEMA also recommends you monitor your credit report for any accounts or changes you do not recognize. If you discover someone is using your information, you will need to take additional steps, including filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission through their website: IdentityTheft.gov.
Stay vigilant and protect yourself against identity theft and fraud.