(8/30/2010) Scam artists follow the headlines, and with one as big as the
Gulf oil disaster, you can bet they are making the rounds.
Federal and state agencies have warned Gulf area
residents not to fall for bogus charities, fraudulent employment offers
or deceitful financial assistance.
Scammers prey on victims' vulnerabilities and use
e-mail, websites, door-to-door operations, flyers, mailings and telephone
calls to make contact and solicit money.
Some may claim they're raising money for environmental causes or offer fraudulent services – including remediation services –
related to the oil spill. Others may claim they can expedite loss claims for a fee.
Still others may knock on your door and talk about placing booms or
checking for oil on your property.
"Unfortunately, while the public's attention is focused on an event like
this and citizens pull together to do what they can to help, it is almost
inevitable that con artists will emerge to exploit the situation in an effort to enrich
themselves," said Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner
Charles H. Bronson.
Bronson says it's important to avoid providing personal and financial information to those making
unsolicited offers for assistance or promises to help.
• Avoid scam artists posing as authorized claims adjusters asking
for fees to expedite services. Likewise, steer clear of those who pretend to
be government officials demanding a processing fee for government
services.
The government does not require processing fees. There is no charge to
process claims. Always verify you are dealing with authorized
representatives and don't sign waivers of liability without legal and
financial counsel.
The Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF), administered by
Kenneth R. Feinberg, has been established, to take over
from BP and assist claimants in filing claims for costs and damages
incurred as a result of the oil spill resulting from the Deepwater Horizon
Incident of April 20, 2010.
• Don't be taken by high-pressure people who misrepresent an
affiliation with an environmental or other organization when they ask for charity donations
via e-mail or social networking sites.
Reputable charities don't pressure. Check out charities at the Better Business
Bureau. Contribute to charities you know and have vetted as bona fide.
Rather than clicking on a link to a purported website, verify the legitimacy
of a nonprofit organization by using search engines and other online
resources to confirm the group's existence, history, mission and nonprofit
status. Avoid cash donations. Pay be debit or credit card or write a check
so you have a record of the donation.
• Beware of unsolicited employment offers, especially those that
require you to pay a fee before you begin work and request personal financial information such as a Social Security
number, bank account or credit cards. Likewise, don't do business with unlicensed contractors nor those who
require upfront payment for services.
The U.S. Department of Labor's CareerOneStop's
Deepwater Horizon Response site provides quick access to a range of
employment and related resources for individuals impacted by the disaster in
the Gulf. There are links to CareerOneStop services in Alabama, Florida,
Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
