It’s a shame at this trying time that we have to mention this, but scammers proliferate in the days and weeks after a catastrophe. Protect yourself.

“Like moths to a flame, scam artists and profit-chasing individuals too often prey on vulnerable victims of natural disasters, such as those devastated by Hurricane Helene,” U.S. Attorney Jill Steinberg said in a warning from her office. “Vigilance is the first defense against fraudsters who would compound the misery of a natural disaster by stealing from those in desperate need of assistance in recovery, and our office stands ready to assist in holding accountable individuals who would take advantage of disaster victims.”

Steinberg is the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. While our community is in Georgia’s Middle District, her warning holds true here too. Thirty of the 41 Georgia counties in the Hurricane Helene disaster declaration are in the Southern District. All the rest are in the Middle District.

There are some ways to protect yourself, according to Steinberg and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, who also warned about scams in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Donations

— Donate only to well-known charities after verifying them through trusted sources.

— Do not respond to unsolicited requests for donations via email, phone, or text, and do not click on links in unsolicited messages.

— Do not assume that online or social media charity solicitations are legitimate.

— Use credit cards or checks for donations. Don’t send cash or use wire transfers or mobile payment apps.

Government

— Remember that government agencies and legitimate organizations will never ask for money or personal information via phone or email.

Contractors

— Beware of contractors who knock on your door or make unsolicited contact, and/or make promises that sound too good to be true.

— Cautiously rely on recommendations from family and friends.

— Do not be forced into making repair decisions by a high-pressure contractor.

— Steer clear of any contractor who asks for full payment up-front, only accepts payment in cash, or refuses to provide you with a written contract.

— Be skeptical of any contractor that offers to pay your insurance deductible or offers other no-cost incentives, as these can be signs of a scam. Always talk to your insurance company before committing to any storm-related repairs or inspections.

— Ask contractors for references and check them out.

— Check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if there are any complaints against the business.

— Ensure that the contractor has the required licensing and/or affiliation.

— Public adjusters are also required to carry a license to do work in Georgia. Before hiring a public adjuster to do any work on your behalf, call the Insurance Commissioner’s Office at 1-800-656-2298 to verify that he/she is licensed and that his/her contract has been approved.

Carr said legitimate contractors should be able to provide their business license, general liability insurance, workers compensation insurance, written manufacturer warranties and written labor warranties.

Price gouging

When Gov. Brian Kemp signed the State of Emergency Sept. 24, it invoked the Price Gouging Statute as it pertains to goods and services necessary for preparation, response and recovery activities for this State of Emergency, Carr said. The State of Emergency has been extended until Oct. 9.

If you think you may have been the victim of a scam or price gouging, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at (404) 651-8600 or 1-800-869-1123. There is also an online complaint form at consumer.georgia.gov.

If you believe a roofer or other contractor has committed insurance fraud, file a report with the Insurance Commissioner’s Office at oci.georgia.gov/report-suspected-fraud or call 404-656-2070 or 1-800-656-2298.

If you have trouble contacting or receiving a timely response from your insurance company or if you have questions about your insurance policy, call 1-800-656-2298 or visit the Insurance Commissioner’s website, oci.georgia.gov.