As the death toll from the devastating floods in Central Texas surpasses 100, state and federal officials are warning residents to be on high alert for fraudsters looking to exploit the disaster for personal gain.
The U.S. Attorney General’s Office issued a warning on Monday about a rise in scams following last week’s historic flooding, which claimed dozens of lives, including more than two dozen children at a summer camp in Kerr County. Scammers, officials say, often target people’s charitable instincts or take advantage of the chaos surrounding natural disasters.
“We’re dealing with scammers,” said Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice during a Monday news conference. “Victims’ families are being reached out to, saying that they have their kids, pay me money. It’s absolutely heartbreaking.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also released a consumer alert, cautioning Texans to be wary of fraud, particularly schemes involving fake contractors offering to repair storm-damaged homes or fraudulent charities seeking donations. “There are no words for how wrong it is that morally bankrupt people are trying to take advantage of Texans by using this tragedy to scam them,” Paxton said. “Anyone engaging in these scams will face the full force of the law.”
According to the FBI, disaster and charity-related fraud tends to spike after high-profile crises. Common red flags include pressure to act quickly, unverified payment requests, suspicious links, and vague organizational details. Texas ranks second in the nation for internet crime complaints and losses, with Texans reporting $1.35 billion in financial losses in 2023 alone.
In situations like this, it’s important to keep an eye on our digital footprint to avoid becoming a target of scammers. There are also a few techniques that can help. The Federance Deposit Insurance Corporation exposes some key points in order to prevent scams:
- Don’t open emails from strangers. If you don’t know the person, ignore or delete the message.
- Never click suspicious links. Scammers can fake websites that look almost real, check the address carefully.
- Protect your personal info. Only give out your birthday, bank info, or passwords on trusted and secure websites.
- Use strong passwords. Make them long and hard to guess, don’t reuse the same one everywhere.
- Keep your phone and computer updated. Updates help protect you from hackers.
- Install antivirus software. It helps block viruses and dangerous files.
- Stay informed. Visit websites like cisa.gov to learn about new scams.
Also, there are some common scams to watch out for:
Money Mule Scams
- Scammers might ask you to move money or gift cards for them, this is illegal.
- If someone asks to use your bank account, card, or receive packages, say no.
- If this has already happened, stop all contact, call your bank, and report it.
Romance Scams
- Someone you meet online builds trust, then asks for money.
- Even if they seem kind or loving, never send money to someone you haven’t met in real life.
Impostor Scams
- A scammer pretends to be a friend, bank, or government agency.
- They might ask for your info or demand money using scary threats.
- Real agencies don’t ask for money or info this way, especially not by text, call, or email.
Mortgage & Foreclosure Scams
- Scammers may claim they can help with loans or stop foreclosure.
- Be careful, they may try to steal your home or money.
- Always verify with official government websites or your real bank.
Ransomware (mostly for businesses)
- A scam locks your device and asks for money to unlock it.
- It’s mostly for businesses, but stay safe by not clicking unknown files or links.
- If this happens, contact the police or FBI immediately.
Suspected fraud can be reported to the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 866-720-5721 or online at www.justice.gov/disastercomplaintform. Texans can also contact the Attorney General’s consumer complaint line at 800-621-0508.
