Florida official warns Hurricane Milton victims about scammers posing as FEMA workers
The emergency management chief of the Florida county where Hurricane Milton made landfall earlier this month is warning about reports of scammers who are posing as Federal Emergency Management Agency officials and trying to get financial information from the storm’s victims
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The emergency management chief of the Florida county where Hurricane Milton made landfall earlier this month warned about reports of scammers in the area who are posing as Federal Emergency Management Agency officials and trying to get financial information from the storm's victims.
Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Sandra Tapfumaneyi told residents on Thursday that some scammers with fake FEMA badges were asking residents for their bank account information, which they should never provide. Instead, hurricane victims seeking help should only share that on FEMA's online system, she said.
“Don't give out your bank account information to anyone who is knocking on your door,” Tapfumaneyi said. “That is not an indication that they are there to help you. Don't give cash to anyone who says they are from FEMA.”
Residents with any doubts about the authenticity of a FEMA worker should contact local authorities, she said.
Milton made landfall last week in Sarasota County as a Category 3 hurricane, just two weeks after Hurricane Helene also tore through Florida before raking much of the southeast, including western North Carolina.
In North Carolina, the work of FEMA workers was suspended for a short time last weekend following reports that FEMA workers could be targeted by militia as the government responds to Helene. A sheriff’s office said earlier this week that one man was arrested during an investigation, but that the suspect acted alone.