FEMA may contact you by text to schedule inspection

Published:

August 8, 2024

Category:

General

Contact:

Deborah Highland West - 270-393-3642

Location:

Bowling Green, KY

Anyone who has applied for FEMA assistance from the May 21-27 storms may receive communications from FEMA Read below to learn how they will contact you.

FRANKFORT, Ky. – If you applied for FEMA assistance following the May 21-27 storms, straight-line winds,
tornadoes, landslides and mudslides, FEMA may be trying to reach you regarding your inspection.

The agency will first try calling you to make an appointment, but if you do not answer, you may receive a text message from FEMA.
Please be aware that these calls and texts may come from unfamiliar area codes and phone numbers or show no
caller ID. It is important to answer phone calls and respond to texts from FEMA, even if you do not recognize the
phone number.

To identify legitimate FEMA staff calling or texting you, please remember the following:
▪ FEMA representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out
applications.
▪ Only FEMA knows your nine-digit application number.
▪ Don’t believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment.
▪ Don’t give your banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector. FEMA inspectors are
never authorized to collect your personal financial information.
▪ You can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to verify if this call or text is from a FEMA-assigned inspector.

As FEMA is trying to connect with you in many ways, you should be alert to scam artists and other criminals who may
be trying to steal your identity. In some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and
Social Security numbers they have stolen from survivors.

If a FEMA Inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have
been used without your knowledge to create a FEMA application. If so, please inform the inspector that you did not
apply for FEMA assistance, so the inspector can submit a request to stop further processing of the application.

If you believe you are the victim of a scam report it immediately to your local police or sheriff’s department, or
contact the Office of the Attorney General by calling 502-696-5485 or visit its website at Natural Disaster Scams -
Kentucky Attorney General. To file a fraud complaint, go online to Scam Report (kentucky.gov).

If you suspect fraudulent activity involving FEMA, you can report it to the FEMA Fraud Branch at: StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov, fax: 202- 212-4926 or write to: FEMA Fraud and Internal Investigation Division, 400 C Street SW Mail Stop 3005, Washington, DC 20472-3005.

If you suspect identity theft, please visit Identity Theft | FTC Consumer Information or IdentityTheft.gov.

Homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations can apply for long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and other sources. Apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at sba.gov/disaster.

If you need free disaster legal services, call 859-993-0300. This service is for disaster survivors who can't afford legal assistance.

For the latest information on Kentucky’s recovery from the May 21-27 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides, please visit fema.gov/disaster/4804. Follow FEMA on X, formerly called Twitter, at x.com/femaregion4 and at facebook.com/fema. Go to YouTube: FEMA Accessible: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance.