Beware Of Fraud During Recovery Efforts

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Residents recovering from severe weather in Missouri are urged to be careful of fraud and other scams during recovery efforts.

"The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will never ask you for bank account information or your Social Security number unless you initiate the call," said Federal Coordinating Officer Tom Hall. FEMA and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) are particularly concerned about people pretending to be employed by FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) or other agencies.

To protect against disaster-related fraud, see "Beware of Fraud During Recovery Efforts," FEMA, 7/15/09.