I Need to Avoid Scams

Unfortunately, there are bad people in this world who will take advantage of others in order to make some money. And survivors of Hurricane Ike are no exceptions. Get the information you need to avoid scams.


Online Phishing 


Phishing is an online con game where Internet criminals called phishers try to steal your identity by sending you an email claiming to be a real business and asking you to give up private information.


Prior to Hurricane Gustav, for example, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office started seeing emails asking people to “confirm” their bank information before the hurricane hit. Other scammers will claim they are helping hurricane victims speed up insurance claims. Sometimes they will even use well-known logos, like Allstate and MasterCard.


What you should do if you receive a suspicious email or phone number:

  • Never email or give out your credit card account numbers, social security number, PIN, credit card security code, mother’s maiden name or passwords.
  • Do not call the phone number listed in the email. If the person says they’re from your bank or credit card company, call the phone number listed on your official bill.


Charities

Whether you receive a phone call or get an email, you may be asked to donate to victims of Hurricane Ike. The emails could be as simple as “We lost everything due to Hurricane Ike. Please help us out with a donation.”


You want to help, so what should you do? Put simply, only give money to charities you trust. Or make sure you validate the charity or relief fund asking for the donation. The following sites can help you research charities:


Learn more from the Texas Attorney General about safely giving to charities and non-profit organizations. (English only)


Contractor Scams


With so many homes needing repairs, unfortunately, many homeowners in Texas are vulnerable to scams and price gouging by some contractors. Get tips on hiring a good contractor and avoiding fraud.


General Tips for Avoiding Scams

  • Avoid opening emails and attachments from unknown sources.
  • Do not give out your credit card information or Social Security number over the phone in response to a phone solicitation.
  • Ask yourself if the offer is too good to be true. Chances are, it is.
  • Always visit the Better Business Bureau (English only) to find out if a company you will be dealing with has been reported.

Report Fraud and Spam

  • The Texas Office of the Attorney General accepts complaints against businesses. Follow the steps on this website to file your complaint. (English only)
  • You can forward spam directly to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at spam@uce.gov. You can also file a complaint about a specific company that sent you an unsolicited email by visiting the FTC website. (English only)
  • Read more about out what to do if you’ve been scammed. (English only)


Related Links

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