Hurricane Harvey Phising Scam & Robocall Warning
FEMA issues Hurricane Harvey Scam Alert regarding Phishing and robocalls
Rumor: There are reports that residents in Texas have been receiving robo-calls telling them their flood premiums are past due, and in order to have coverage for Hurricane Harvey they need to submit a payment immediately to a website given on the call. This rumor is FALSE.
THIS IS A SCAM. Insurance companies and agents selling flood insurance policies do not use this process to communicate with customers about their flood insurance policies. In fact, if your payment is past due, your insurance company will send you several pieces of mail 90, 60, and 30 days before the policy expires.
If you receive a call regarding your flood insurance policy:
- Hang up the phone. Don't press 1 to speak to a live operator or any other key to take your number off the list. Just hang up.
- Then contact your insurance agent or insurance company immediately to verify the information.
- Or call 1-800-638-6620 if you have a policy with NFIP Direct
If you need information to file your flood insurance claim: https://www.fema.gov/nfip-file-your-claim
Texas Law 1774:
Rumor: Is it true I must file a flood insurance claim before Friday, September 1? I was told that a new Texas law goes into effect that day and all claims filed after would be negatively impacted.
Fact: No, the House Bill 1774, passed by the 85th Texas Legislature, does not affect flood insurance policies or claims. Flood insurance is provided through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which was created by Congress through the passage of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, and is not subject to state regulations.
NFIP Flood Insurance policyholders with flood damage should file their insurance claims as soon as possible to begin their recovery process, but there is no benefit or penalty in filing before or after September 1, 2017. Visit https://www.fema.gov/nfip-file-your-claim to learn more about how to file your Flood Insurance claim.
Butch Kinerney
Chief, Marketing & Outreach
DHS/FEMA/FIMA/ Federal Insurance Directorate
400 C Street SW, Suite 313
Washington, DC 20472-3010
eugene.kinerney@fema.dhs.gov
202-646-3228
