Scammers File Fake FEMA Applications In Glass, Hennessey Fires

NAPA COUNTY, CA — Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley warned Napa County residents of a scam involving fraudulently filed applications for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance in the wake of the Hennessey and Glass Fires.

The District Attorney’s Office received several reports from residents whose personal identifying information, including their social security numbers, was used to file fraudulent FEMA applications.

"If you are contacted regarding a FEMA application that you did not submit, or if you attempt to file an application for assistance, but find that someone has already filed an application in your name, please immediately call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721," the DA's Office said.

Further, the DA's Office said because of the coronavirus, FEMA is not sending inspectors for in-person home inspections. Instead, home inspections will be conducted over the phone.

"FEMA inspectors will never ask for your nine- digit application registration number, they already have it in their records," the DA's Office said. "FEMA inspectors never require banking or other personal information such as a Social Security number. Do not trust someone who asks for money. Federal and local disaster workers do not solicit or accept money. FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration staff never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections, or help in filling out applications."

Those who believe they may be a victim of a FEMA-related scam may also be a victim of identity theft, the DA's Office said.

Possible victims should:

Report the crime to the police and ask the police to issue a police report of identity theft;

Call any one of the three major credit bureaus to report a fraud alert — alerting one credit bureau alerts all three — Equifax (800) 525-6285, Experian at (888) 397-3742, or TransUnion at (800) 680-7289;

Carefully review credit reports for accounts or inquiries not authorized by the victim; and

Consider a credit monitoring service or a credit freeze for protection against new accounts being opened in the victim's name.

Further information for identity theft victims is posted on the California Attorney General’s website.