FEMA: Be alert to fraud after Washington storms and flooding

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently put out a news release warning Washington residents of con artists and criminals attempting to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after a disaster.

In some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from people affected by the disaster.

Residents who did not submit a FEMA application but are still contacted by FEMA housing inspectors may have had their information used without their knowledge to create a FEMA application. If this happens, they should inform the inspector that they did not apply for FEMA assistance so the inspector can submit a request to stop further processing of the application.

Residents who did not apply for assistance but received a letter from FEMA are advised to call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The helpline will submit a request to stop further processing of that application.

If residents want to apply for FEMA assistance after stopping an application made in their name without their knowledge, the helpline will assist them in creating a new application.

FEMA housing inspectors and other officials will be working in areas impacted by storms and flooding. They carry official photo identification badges.

The news release advises people to:

-Not trust anyone asking for money in exchange for disaster aid or promising grants in return for large deposits. FEMA and local disaster workers do not charge for assistance, inspections or application help.

-Not give banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector. FEMA inspectors are never authorized to collect personal financial information.

-Use licensed local contractors with verified references. Always get a written contract detailing the work and avoid paying more than half the cost upfront.

Report scams to local law enforcement or to the Washington state Attorney General's Office at atg.wa.gov/file-complaint.

If residents have knowledge of fraud, waste or abuse of FEMA funds, it can be reported to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or emailed to StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov.

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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 11:23 AM.