Watch Out For New Round of Sandy Scammers, Senator Warns

Sandy victims who are considering seeking a review of their FEMA flood insurance settlements are being urged to exercise caution by U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, in the wake of advertisements offering help for a fee that contain unauthorized quotes from the senator.

"The last thing Sandy victims need, after they waited so long to get this second chance to have their claims reopened by FEMA, is to have to pay money they don't have just to get the insurance proceeds they deserve," Menendez said in a news release.

"I fought tooth and nail to get FEMA to reopen the claims process to get justice for Sandy survivors, not to pad the profits of unscrupulous individuals just looking to make a quick buck. FEMA has assured me that the process is simple, easy to navigate and designed to be completed by the homeowner without the need for outside assistance,"

Several disaster recovery groups and Sandy victims reached out Menendez's office after they received soliticiations offering legal assistance in getting the claims looked at again for a fee.

"You don't need a middleman taking 30 percent of what you're already entitled to and been waiting too long to receive," Menendez said. "You have every right to have an attorney, and there are organizations that will offer free services to ensure that you get 100 percent of what is owed to you."

Among the not-for-profit and charity groups offering legal services to Sandy victims at no charge are:

• Legal Services of New Jersey Hurricane Sandy Hotline: (888) 222-5765
• Volunteer Lawyers for Justice: (855) 301-2525

In addition, Menendez is scheduled to host a free information session for Sandy survivors who are considering reopening their claims. It is set for 11:30 a.m. at the Brick Civic Plaza, 270 Chambersbridge Road, Brick.

The event will include long-term recovery and charity groups, Sandy victims' advocates and free legal service providers who can help answer questions about the claims review process.

The Sandy Claims Review Center is receiving an average of 400 calls and emails a day from storm victims, according to FEMA figures released last week. So far, about 70 percent who contact FEMA are eligible to have their claims reopened, and FEMA reports several homeowners have already passed through the review process and are being contacted for payment.

The last of the nearly 142,000 letters FEMA is sending to Sandy survivors who filed flood insurance claims is being mailed this week.

Menendez encouraged Sandy victims who feel they were lowballed by the NFIP to contact FEMA's Sandy Claims Review Center at (866) 337-4262 or www.fema.gov/hurricane-sandy-nfip-claims.