Hurricane Helene Recovery: Avoid Scams and Misinformation

Stay Secure After Hurricane Helene: Protect Your Finances and Avoid Scams

After natural disasters, scammers often try to take advantage of people. Protect yourself from these scams by staying aware and informed. The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs offers important warning signs and tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe.

The Federal Trade Commission's guide on avoiding scams after natural disasters warns against unlicensed contractors, upfront cash payments, and anyone promising quick repairs. To avoid being scammed, make sure contractors are licensed, don’t pay in cash up front, and never use payment methods like gift cards.

Avoid Home Repair Scams
Be cautious if a contractor:
-Shows up unannounced at your door
-Offers discounted deals with leftover materials
-Pressures you to make quick decisions
-Demands large cash payments upfront

These are not people you want to hire or work with.

Protect Yourself from Fake Charities, trying to raise money
During a crisis, many people want to help by donating money. Unfortunately, scammers may try to take advantage of this kindness:
- Avoid donating to people who come to your door asking for money.
- Don’t send cash; use checks, credit cards or safe apps to make donations.
- Stick to well-known charities. You can get more information on trusted charities from the SC Secretary of State

Avoid Imposter or Fake Officials
After disasters, scammers may pose as government officials or insurance agents.
- Ask for ID before providing any personal information.
- Never give out your bank or credit card information to unexpected callers.
- Avoid signing any contracts or documents that you don’t understand.

For Additional Help:

Able SC is always available to help you navigate and understand complicated documents or financial information. Call us at 800.681.6805 or email to info@able-sc.org

If you think you’ve been scammed or need more guidance, contact the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs’ ID Theft Unit at 1-800-922-1594 or visit www.consumer.sc.gov.

If you think you see a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report could help the FTC stop the scammers and help someone else stay safe.

Natural Disaster Misinformation

During natural disasters, such as the one we are experiencing after Hurricane Helene, misinformation spreads quickly. Misinformation is bad, fake, or incorrect information. Misinformation can be confusing and prevents us from getting correct information and the help we need.

To prevent this, agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the White House, work hard to provide accurate and up-to-date information. These efforts ensure that people can access reliable information and avoid misleading or untrue information during emergencies.

To find accurate and reliable information about natural disasters, like the one we are experiencing now, go to trusted sources like the State Emergency Management Division, National Weather Service, and other federal, state, county and local government sites. Protect yourself and others by sharing the facts and not rumors or exaggerations.

To help stop the spread of misinformation, you can:

Find trusted sources of information.

Share only information from trusted sources.

Encourage others to avoid sharing unverified information and always check the source before trusting it.

Resources

North Carolina Department of Public Safety: Hurricane Helene, Fact vs. Rumor

NPR: Fact-checking falsehoods about FEMA funding and Hurricane Helene

The White House: Interested Parties Memo: Fighting Hurricane Helene Falsehoods with Facts

Public Health Initiatives

Able SC provides advocacy and education to ensure that disability is represented in all areas of public health. We have established state and national partnerships with public health entities to ensure the needs of the disability community are included in all programs and services. We also offer direct programs to ensure people with disabilities have access to the information and resources they need to lead healthy, active, and independent lives.

Public Health Initiatives

Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery Services

We organize the SC Disability Partners in Disaster Planning Coalition to ensure people with disabilities are being included and receiving equitable services throughout the state in all aspects of emergency planning. We also provide individual services to assist people with disabilities to prepare for emergency disasters, get the resources they need before, during and after emergency disasters

Emergency Prep and Response Services