What we verified in “Contractor scams after a disaster”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. According to FEMA, a FEMA housing inspector will never ask for your nine-digit registration number, because they already have it; always wears an official government badge, and you can ask to see it; doesn't ask for bank information; FEMA never charges a fee for an inspection; and the inspector doesn't climb on roofs or enter crawl spaces.

   Sources 1 · FEMA, Disaster Fraud, 'FEMA Housing Inspectors': 'Never ask for your nine-digit registration number. They already have it in their records'; 'Always wear an official government badge to identify themselves. Ask the person to show you their identification'; 'Not ask for bank information. FEMA never charges a fee for an inspection'; 'Not climb on roofs or enter crawl spaces' · Checked November 6, 2026

2. According to FEMA, don't trust someone who asks for money: DHS, FEMA, the SBA and other federal agencies never charge applicants for disaster assistance or for help filling out applications; and don't believe anyone who promises a disaster grant and asks for large cash deposits or advance payments in full.

   Sources 1 · FEMA, Disaster Fraud, 'Fake Offers of Local or Federal Aid': 'Don’t trust someone who asks for money. DHS, FEMA, SBA, and other federal agencies will never charge applicants for disaster assistance or help in filling out applications'; 'Don’t believe anyone who promises a disaster grant and asks for large cash deposits or advance payments in full' · Checked November 6, 2026

3. According to FEMA, use licensed or verified local contractors with reliable references, don't pay more than half the costs of repairs in advance, and demand that contractors detail the job with guarantees in writing.

   Sources 1 · FEMA, Disaster Fraud, 'Fraudulent Building Contractors': 'Use licensed or verified local contractors backed by reliable references'; 'Don’t pay more than half the costs of repairs in advance'; 'Demand that contractors detail the job to be done with guarantees in writing' · Checked November 6, 2026

4. According to FEMA, criminals may apply for FEMA assistance using stolen names, addresses and Social Security numbers; if a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you didn't apply, tell the inspector you didn't apply; if you receive a FEMA letter without applying, call its Helpline at 800-621-3362, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET daily; and to report fraud you can email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov or contact your state consumer protection office.

   Sources 1 · FEMA, Disaster Fraud: 'con artists and criminals may try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from survivors'; 'Tell the inspector you did not apply for FEMA assistance'; 'please call our Helpline at 800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET daily'; 'Email: StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov'; 'Contact your state consumer protection offices' · Checked November 6, 2026

5. According to the FTC, someone knocks on your door or calls saying they can fix your leaky roof, put in new windows or install solar panels; they may find you after a flood, windstorm or other disaster; they pressure you to act quickly and ask for cash or offer financing; then they run off with your money, do shoddy repairs or get you to sign a bad financing agreement that puts your house at risk; the FTC recommends asking people you trust for recommendations, checking licenses and insurance, getting three written estimates, not starting work until you have reviewed and signed a written contract, and not paying by cash or wire transfer.

   Sources 2 · FTC, Home Repair Scams: 'Someone knocks on your door or calls you. They say they can fix your leaky roof, put in new windows, or install the latest energy-efficient solar panels. They might find you after a flood, windstorm, or other natural disaster'; 'They pressure you to act quickly and might ask you to pay in cash or offer to get you financing'; 'they run off with your money and never make the repairs. Or they do shoddy repairs that make things worse. Maybe they got you to sign a bad financing agreement that puts your house at risk'; 'Get three written estimates. Don’t start work until you have reviewed and signed a written contract. And don’t pay by cash or wire transfer.' · Checked November 6, 2026

6. According to the FTC, scammers knock on your door looking for business because they're 'in the area', say they have materials left over from a previous job, pressure you for an immediate decision, ask you to pay for everything up front or only accept cash, ask you to get the building permits, and suggest you borrow from a lender they know.

   Sources 3 · FTC, How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam: 'Scammers knock on your door looking for business because they are “in the area.”'; 'Scammers say they have materials left over from a previous job'; 'Scammers pressure you for an immediate decision'; 'Scammers ask you to pay for everything up front or only accept cash'; 'Scammers ask you to get any required building permits'; 'Scammers suggest you borrow money from a lender they know' · Checked November 6, 2026

7. According to the FTC, in the home improvement loan scam a contractor offers to install a new roof or remodel your kitchen and says he can arrange financing through a lender he knows; after work starts he asks you to sign papers, which may be blank; later you find you agreed to a home equity loan with a high interest rate, points and fees; the FTC advises never agreeing to contractor financing without shopping around, not signing a document you haven't read, that's in a language you don't understand or that has blank spaces, and never transferring your deed without consulting an attorney, a knowledgeable family member or someone else you trust; if you talk with the seller in another language, depending on where you live and what you're buying, you may be entitled to a copy of the contract in that language.

   Sources 3 · FTC, How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam, 'The Home Improvement Loan Scam': 'He offers a deal to install a new roof or remodel your kitchen. He says he can arrange financing through a lender he knows'; 'After he starts work, he asks you to sign papers. They may be blank'; 'you’ve agreed to a home equity loan with a high interest rate, points, and fees'; 'Never agree to financing through your contractor without shopping around and comparing loan terms'; 'Don’t sign a document you haven’t read, is in a language you don’t understand, or that has blank spaces'; 'you may be entitled to get a copy of the contract in that language'; 'Never transfer your deed to anyone without consulting an attorney, a knowledgeable family member, or someone else you trust' · Checked November 6, 2026

8. According to the FTC, the Cooling-Off Rule gives you three days to cancel certain sales made at your home, including when you invite the salesperson; your right to cancel for a full refund lasts until midnight of the third business day after the sale (Saturday counts as a business day; Sundays and federal holidays don't); the seller must give you two copies of a cancellation form and a copy of the contract; if you cancel, the seller has 10 days to refund all your money; but the Rule doesn't cover sales under $25 at your home, sales needed to meet an emergency, or sales made because you asked the seller to come repair or maintain your property (things you buy beyond that repair are covered).

   Sources 4 · FTC, Buyer’s Remorse: The FTC’s Cooling-Off Rule May Help: 'gives you three days to cancel certain sales made at your home'; 'The Rule also applies when you invite a salesperson to make a presentation in your home'; 'under $25 for sales made at your home'; 'needed to meet an emergency'; 'made because you asked the seller to visit your home to repair or perform maintenance on your personal property. (Things you buy beyond that repair or maintenance request are covered.)'; 'Two copies of a cancellation form'; 'Your right to cancel for a full refund lasts until midnight of the third business day after the sale. Saturday is considered a business day, but Sundays and federal holidays are not'; 'the seller has 10 days to'; 'refund all your money' · Checked November 6, 2026

9. According to California's Attorney General, the state's anti-price gouging statute (Penal Code section 396) prohibits raising the price of many consumer goods and services by more than 10% after an emergency is declared; it covers building materials and repair and reconstruction services; protections generally apply for 30 days after the declaration, but 180 days for reconstruction and emergency cleanup services; and you can report on the Attorney General's website or at (800) 952-5225.

   Sources 5 · California Attorney General, FAQs on Price Gouging: 'California’s anti-price gouging statute, Penal Code Section 396, prohibits raising the price of many consumer goods and services by more than 10% after an emergency has been declared'; 'building materials, including lumber, construction tools, and windows'; 'repair and reconstruction services'; 'These protections generally apply for 30 days after a declaration of emergency, although for reconstruction services and emergency cleanup services, protections apply for 180 days'; 'file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office by going to the Attorney General's website or by calling (800) 952-5225' · Checked November 6, 2026

10. The Texas Attorney General asks people to be on the lookout for price gouging, flood-damaged vehicles and other post-emergency scams.

    Sources 7 · Texas Attorney General, Disaster and Emergency Scams: 'Be on the lookout for price gouging, flood-damaged vehicles and other post-emergency scams that may arise.' · Checked November 6, 2026

11. According to Ready.gov (FEMA), document any property damage with photographs and contact your insurance company for assistance.

    Sources 6 · Ready.gov, Hurricanes: 'Document any property damage with photographs. Contact your insurance company for assistance.' · Checked November 6, 2026

12. According to the FTC, if you have a problem with a project, first try to resolve it with the contractor; follow each phone call with a letter sent by certified mail with a return receipt; keep notes and copies; and if it isn't resolved, get outside help from your state attorney general or local consumer protection office, your local home builders association or dispute resolution programs.

    Sources 3 · FTC, How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam, 'If you have a problem with a home improvement project': 'First try to resolve it with the contractor'; 'Follow any phone conversations with a letter you send by certified mail. Request a return receipt'; 'Keep notes and copies of letters and documents for your files'; 'your state attorney general or local consumer protection office'; 'your local home builders association'; 'dispute resolution programs' · Checked November 6, 2026