Protect Yourself from Wildfire Scams: Essential Tips for Homeowners
Protect Yourself from Scams After a Wildfire: Tips for Homeowners
In the aftermath of natural disasters, scammers often prey on vulnerable individuals. If you or someone you know has suffered damage from a wildfire, follow these important steps to ensure anyone offering grant money or contracted for repairs is legitimate.
How to Verify Your Home Inspector:
Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and Small Business Administration (SBA) officials will never ask for your banking information or charge you for disaster assistance. Be cautious and avoid sharing personal information.
- If someone claims to represent FEMA or the SBA, ask to see their official ID badge — all federal employees and contractors are required to carry one.
- FEMA housing inspectors will not hire specific contractors to fix your damage. If someone claiming to be a FEMA inspector recommends or arranges a contractor for you, that’s a red flag.
How to Ensure Your Contractor Is Licensed:
Always work with licensed contractors. Request and verify physical proof of their license to confirm legitimacy.
- Verify the license is valid by calling the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) toll-free at (800) 321-2752, or visiting cslb.ca.gov.
- Ask for references before hiring.
- Get a written contract that includes everything you discussed in person — if it’s not in the contract, the contractor can’t be held accountable for it.
- Don’t pay in cash, and never pay for the entire project before the work is completed.
How to Avoid Price Gouging:
Price gouging laws prevent rental housing costs from increasing by more than 10% after a state of emergency is declared. To understand more about the legal complexities of price gouging, visit the California Attorney General’s website: oag.ca.gov/consumers/pricegougingduringdisasters.
- You can check whether a declaration of emergency is currently in effect at gov.ca.gov.
- If you believe you’re experiencing price gouging, you can file a complaint with the California Attorney General’s office by calling (800) 952-5225 or visiting their website.
- For a referral to a lawyer, you can contact the State Bar of California at (866) 442-2529 (toll-free in California) or visit calbar.ca.gov.
Stay Informed and Safe!
Share this information with anyone you know in wildfire-prone areas — spreading awareness helps others avoid scams.
Protect Yourself from Wildfire Scams:
Essential Tips for Homeowners
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