Our thoughts are with the people impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Many areas around Tampa Bay and the Southeast have experienced severe damage and are in the rebuilding process.
To make sure you are safe and secure during this difficult time, we’re sharing advice for protecting yourself and your home in the aftermath of the storms.
Look Out for Scams
The recovery period after a disaster is a stressful time. Many malicious organizations and individuals use this time to prey on people who are frustrated, fatigued, and in immediate need. The Federal Trade Commission has warned about bad actors looking to exploit the situation by setting up scams and presenting themselves as organizations that are for good when they are really out to cash in on a bad situation.
To protect yourself, look for the following scams after a natural disaster.
Impersonators: From fake insurance companies to people pretending to be from FEMA, impersonators may contact those impacted by the storm and offer assistance. Do not immediately take the word of someone offering help. Always confirm that they are a part of the organization.
Phone Calls Soliciting Information: You may receive phone calls that request your personal information to offer assistance. Do not give out personal or insurance information on received calls unless you verify the caller. If needed, hang up and then, call the organization directly if they are requesting information over the phone.
Emails Soliciting Information or Providing Links: Bad actors may also send emails posing as recovery agencies and insurance companies. Do not provide information via email. Do not click on links in these emails either. Be critical of the email sender information. Verify any requests through official government websites or by calling the agency directly.
Charity Scams: Fake charities or organizations may solicit donations for hurricane relief. Only donate to well-known, established charities, and verify the legitimacy of lesser-known organizations through websites like Charity Navigator or the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Be especially skeptical of campaigns on crowd-funding websites, as they are not verified charities.
Price Gouging: Vendors and contractors may inflate prices after a hurricane. Double-check pricing or get a second opinion before agreeing to contracted work, and report any pricing gouging on essential items like gas, water, or building materials to local consumer protection offices.
Contractor Fraud: Fraudulent contractors may offer repair services, demand payment upfront, and then either do substandard work or disappear without completing the job. Always verify the contractor’s license, check references, and avoid cash payments.
Paying for FEMA Services: FEMA does not require you to pay a fee to get disaster relief. Do not work with anyone who says they can help you qualify for relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a fee.
Unusual Payment Methods: Scammers typically ask for non-traditional payment methods. Be skeptical of any organization or contractor who requests payment via wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, or in cash.
If you are exposed to any of these scans, report the incidents to local law enforcement or the correct federal agency.
If you were injured by any of the scams, talk to an attorney right away who can help you go after the companies who caused you harm. You can fight the companies in civil court to receive financial compensation for damages.
Related: What to Ask During a Free Consultation with a Lawyer
Get What’s Owed To You by Insurance Companies
After a hurricane, you need to protect yourself from malicious individuals seeking personal gain after a storm. You also need to protect yourself from insurance companies seeking to minimize the payout owed to you after a storm.
Insurance companies often want to pay out as little as possible after a storm and will put homeowners in difficult positions throughout the claims process. If your insurance company engages in any of the following, talk to an attorney right away.
Delaying or Denying Claims: Some insurers delay processing claims by repeatedly requesting additional documentation or scheduling multiple inspections to pressure policyholders to accept lower settlements out of frustration or desperation. They may also push back and deny claims to drive lower settlements.
Lowball Estimates: Insurance companies may provide an initial estimate of damages that is significantly lower than the actual cost of repairs. They might rely on adjusters who downplay the extent of the damage or use outdated pricing models, forcing you to negotiate or prove the real costs.
Refusing to Pay for Full Rebuild or Restoration: Instead of paying for a complete repair or rebuild, insurers might suggest patchwork solutions that don’t fully restore the home to its pre-disaster state, leaving homeowners with additional costs.
Underpaying on Temporary Living Expenses: Depending on your policy, your insurance company may be required to pay for your living expenses if your home is unlivable due to damage. Some insurers may try to underpay or limit these benefits, arguing that certain costs are unnecessary or unreasonable.
If your insurance company is trying to avoid paying you what you are owed, contact TJ Grimaldi. TJ knows what insurance companies do to fight claims and how to approach cases to ensure injured parties get what is legally due to them.
Related: What You Should Expect from Your Attorney in Every Case
Recover with an Attorney By Your Side
While the time after a disaster can feel daunting, there is help on the road to recovery.
We will get through this together. Our team is here to help you fight against malicious individuals and unfair organizations attempting to exploit homeowners during this delicate time. We won’t let them.
If you feel you have been taken advantage of by a scammer or deceitful insurance company, talk to attorney TJ Grimaldi right away. TJ knows how to fight for personal property and consumer rights, and he is here to fight for your best interests. Schedule a free consultation to share your story and see how TJ and our team can help. Request your consultation or call 813-226-1023 now.
TJ Grimaldi joined McIntyre in 2011. McIntyre recruited TJ to create the divisions of personal injury and family law, as well as to expand the existing criminal defense practice at the firm. During TJ’s tenure at McIntyre, he has helped oversee and grow these practice areas. He continues to practice in these divisions while also expanding his own practice areas to include estate planning and immigration law. TJ is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Florida and the United States District Court for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.
