As what could be one of the most vicious hurricanes in modern history bears down on Florida, federal officials are warning consumers to be on the lookout for scammers both in person and online who will try to take advantage of what will likely be a terrible situation for many people.
According to CBS News, as of Wednesday afternoon Hurricane Milton was expected to make landfall over or near Sarasota, Florida, late Wednesday night. The storm is expected to be a Category Three at the time, putting its winds in the 111 to 129 mph range. The storm is expected to flood parts of the state's Gulf Coast with a storm surge as high as 9 to 13 feet.
Earlier in the day, the Federal Trade Commission along with the Department of Justice and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau warned that scammers will quickly try to exploit those affected by the storm, as well as the well-meaning people trying to help them.
The FTC says scams could come in the form of fraudsters impersonating hurricane-aid charities. At the same time, the commission is already getting reports of price gouging related to storm necessities like hotels, groceries and gas.
"No American should have to worry about being ripped off when fleeing a hurricane," FTC Chair Lina M. Khan said in a statement. "In partnership with state enforcers, the FTC will keep fighting to ensure that Americans can get the relief they need without being preyed on by bad actors exploiting a crisis."
Meanwhile, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released a separate advisory warning of potential online scams that could come in the form of emails, messages on social media, texts, phone calls or even a knock on their door from an actual person.
In addition to possibly impersonating a charity, scammers might also pose as government officials or storm victims themselves, CISA says. It urged consumers to exercise caution and make sure that they're dealing with legitimate people and groups before handing over any money or personal information.
Here's some advice from the FTC, CISA and others for how to protect yourself from scammers in the wake of Hurricane Milton.
How to avoid natural disaster scams
Don't answer unsolicited emails, texts or social media pleas. If the message is coming from a person or group you haven't dealt with before, don't respond. Stick to major charitable organizations that you know are legitimate. Go directly to their website. Avoid clicking on links in emails and other kinds of messages. Don't click on attachments. They could contain malware.
If someone says you have to act now, don't. Admittedly, a lot of people are going to need help fast, but if the experts are right this is going to be a long rebuilding process. Real charities will happily take your money after you've verified their legitimacy. Criminals, on the other hand, want you to hand it over before you have a chance to think about it.
Take a close look at email addresses and URLs. Scammers will often create messages and sites that look just like those of real charities and organizations, but just a little different. If something seems off about a logo, font or an email or web address, find a different site.
Only give to verified charities. Admittedly, it can be tough, but the FTC has some tips for how to figure out if a group is legit or not including links to organizations that can help you do research.
Stick to trusted sources for storm advice. If you need help or information, consult your local officials or national disaster response organizations including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security's Ready.gov.
Say no to "officials" who ask for money. Government officials, including those from FEMA, will never ask for money in exchange for disaster relief. Be wary of people promoting non-existent businesses or investment opportunities related to disaster recovery, such as rebuilding or flood-proofing. Requests for payment in the form of a wire transfer, gift card, payment app, cryptocurrency or in cash are also red flags.
Help others by reporting scams. Give the FTC a heads up by reporting fraud, scams and bad business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You also can report them to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.