I once heard that about 5% of a given population will be totally devoid of compassion for the rest of the group. I don’t know if that’s true, but there are certainly folks who prey on the misfortune of others, and this year, that group of people have taken on a new facade: Superstorm Sandy scammers.
Yes, even before the superstorm made landfall, the most predatory people in our society where scheming up ways to profit from the disaster. But these superstorm Sandy scammers aren’t just going after those unfortunate enough to live in the path of that Frankenstorm. No, they’re going after those good samaritans looking to provide financial assistance, too.
Superstorm Sandy Fake Charity Scams
Grifters know the biggest target for a scam is the largest pool of people who can be targeted. In the case of superstorm Sandy scammers, this group of people is the whole country — since everyone knows about the disaster now.
Over 1,000 internet addresses related to Sandy have been registered since the storm made headlines, according to Internet domain research site DomainTools. Many of those names reference “aid” and “relief.”
Of course, not all of those websites were set up for performing scams. Many new non-profits have been formed in the wake of superstorm Sandy to provide actual relief, but remember: If you give money to someone you don’t know, there’s a risk it will not be going where it’s supposed to.
Take time to evaluate a charity before giving to it. To be sure they’re real, you can check the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Bureau at Give.org or another reliable resource, CharityNavigator.org.
Superstorm Sandy Home Repair Fraud
Of course, not every superstorm Sandy scammer is simply looking for handouts online or door-to-door. There are plenty out there knocking on doors and offering deeply discounted repairs — the kind that could even net you a financial gain after your insurance company pays you back! Oooh. Not.
Don’t be fooled. Most experts agree that anyone asking for more than half of the money up front on a repair should be dealt with cautiously. Never pay more than 50% down on repairs. Investigate anyone you hire for legitimacy online. Even scammers who begin doing “work” could turn out to have done everything wrong, or could be waiting for a large payment to go through only to disappear.
To get good advice about where to go for repairs, talk to your insurance company or the Better Business Bureau. Either of these resources should be able to point you to contractors that will do a good job.
By the same token, watch out for superstorm Sandy scammers looking for big up-front payments on flood damaged car repairs, as well as those selling services to help you “cash in” or “get more” from the Federal Government.
You can and should report superstorm Sandy scammers to the United States Department of Justice by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. Just because you were smart enough to spot a scammer doesn’t mean the little old lady down the street won’t become a victim.
There are certainly lots of good folks out there looking to help out, and many of them should be paid for their work. But just because someone says they’re trying to give you a good deal does not mean they actually are.
Have you seen any superstorm Sandy scammers out there? What other tips do you have for staying financially safe after a disaster of this magnitude?
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