Florida Cabinet officials are warning Big Bend residents to be wary of scams as Hurricane Hermine recovery continues.
CFO Jeff Atwater’s office is investigating allegations of fraud in Taylor County. Reports suggest people posing as federal officials are demanding cash to help residents fill out FEMA claims.
“For a fee of $150,” Atwater spokeswoman Ashley Carr says. “Now that’s not only just wrong it is also a lie—there is no such fee to file an insurance claim through FEMA.”
So far Atwater’s office has only heard reports of the scam in Taylor County.
“The good rule of thumb is really to go back to basics,” Carr says. “Don’t give any personal information without verifying the identity of the person who’s asking for it. Government officials carry official identification as do insurance company representatives.”
In addition, Florida Attorney general Pam Bondi’s price gouging hotline has received 28 complaints—18 of them in Leon county.
