Hurricane and tornado seasons are upon us. And when natural disasters increase, so does the need for FEMA / disaster home inspections. Unfortunately, FEMA says that industry fraud is becoming rampant.
Natural disasters can strike at any time, and some, such as tornadoes, may give little warning if any. That creates an environment where homeowners are desperate for assistance. Scam artists prey on disaster victims, and a few bad eggs can cause homeowners to distrust everyone else who is really there to help.
Here’s what you should watch out for.
Scam Inspectors Only Pretend to Contract with FEMA
FEMA uses disaster inspectors through two specific companies. Vanguard Emergency Management and PB Disaster Services are the only two companies that contract with FEMA. But how many homeowners know that and how many know how to tell the good from the bad?
Scammers can easily pose as an official FEMA disaster inspector. But a real one will always wear a badge and never charge a fee. Fake inspectors are in it for the money, and some unwitting victims hand over hard-earned cash because they believe that it’s a requirement.
Fraud Goes Beyond Inspection Fees
Not every scammer charges homeowners an inspection fee, which makes it even more difficult to identify the bad apples. They’re still in it for the money, though, just from a different source. These fakers send homeowners directly into the snare of a contractor who might, or then again might not, perform the disaster repairs. FEMA explains that contractor referrals are a significant issue in the wake of a disaster.
Certainly homeowners need repairs after experiencing major home damage. The problem is that a FEMA inspector will never recommend a contractor. They also avoid estimating the financial extent of the damage. They’re there to collect information only; FEMA does the rest.
home You can help homeowners avoid a second disaster, this time with a fraudulent inspector.
How Home Inspectors Can Help Homeowners
Because you’re a home inspector, you’re uniquely qualified and positioned to educate homeowners in your area about the dangers of FEMA disaster inspection fraud. You don’t have to contract with FEMA to spread the word.
According to American Family Mutual Insurance, here are a few pieces of advice that you can offer:
- Always examine and verify the authenticity of a FEMA disaster inspector’s identification and credentials
- Write down the inspector’s name, contact information and other identifying information, such as his vehicle tag number, and store it in a safe place in case it’s needed later
- Never agree to anything that isn’t in writing
- Never sign any document that isn’t entirely filled in; the inspector could fill in empty blanks later
- Wait for instructions from FEMA before moving ahead with home repairs
- Hire established, local contractors to perform repair work, not traveling workers who often prey on homeowners
Home inspectors cultivate a reputation for integrity, but that can be wiped out quickly if your market gets flooded with scam artists after a natural disaster. From the perspective of a homeowner, it’s difficult to know the difference between a good egg and a bad one. Scams grow more sophisticated every day. And on the heels of a disaster, the stress can make homeowners even more vulnerable to fraud.
If you want to become a FEMA inspector, it’s a great way to serve the whole country in a time of need plus earn some extra money at the same time. You can contact Vanguard or PB Disaster Services, or check out this like at the FEMA website for more information.
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