Identity Theft and Hurricane Relief

While no one will find scammers a particularly endearing bunch, certain types of fraud repulse me more than others. These include those who target children and senior citizens. I'm adding to the list identity thieves who target disaster victims. I mentioned in an earlier post that hurricane season is a time when those who need to evacuate because of a tropical storm or hurricane are at risk of identity theft since their identifying documents could be stolen while they evacuate or when they are at a shelter.

A press release from the Federal Trade Commission warns that in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, people need to be cautious of different types of fraud that spring up disguised as disaster relief. Among these, as you may have guessed, is identity theft. People recovering from losses caused by a natural disaster like a hurricane will need to provide their personal information in order to receive disaster relief. This gives identity thieves opportunities to acquire information to commit identity theft by claiming to be a government official or a volunteer representing a charity. Make sure you confirm who is asking for your information before giving it.

The press release also warns of other types of fraud to watch for following a major hurricane. One of them, charity fraud, takes advantage of those looking to donate money to help hurricane victims. The Federal Trade Commission offers advice regarding donating to charities without being scammed. The others, home repair scams, target those who are looking to rebuild after seeing their homes lost or damaged after the hurricane. Check identification and references carefully before hiring a contractor and read the FTC's website carefully to avoid being scammed. While these are not identity theft, they are still fraud, and you will need to be on your guard against multiple types of fraud.

Keep Your Identity Safe During Hurricane Season

In the Southeastern part of the United States, what's commonly known as "Hurricane Season" has already begun. This is a time when many people in states prone to hurricanes will be keeping a close eye on the weather and possibly making preparations in case they have to evacuate. However, other problems lurk in the wake of natural disasters. A hurricane disaster area can also be an area ripe for identity theft if you don't take the proper precautions.

If you must evacuate, do not leave sensitive identifying documents (like birth certificates, Social Security cards, bank account, numbers, insurance papers) in easily accessible places in your home. They may be destroyed if your home is damaged in the storm or stolen by looters looking for information useful for committing identity theft. Make sure they are locked in a safe place where you can find them when you return.

Keep photocopies of these documents with you at all times and heavily guarded during evacuation and don't let them out of your site. You are especially vulnerable to identity theft when you are away from home. The Identity Theft Resource Center gives specific guidelines regarding protecting yourself from identity theft during hurricanes and other disasters, especially when evacuation is required.