After Hurricane Ian unexpectedly slammed Ft. Meyers last year, the recovery efforts were massive. The same could be said of the number of storm-chasing scammers who preyed upon the vulnerabilities of older Floridians.
In the wake of Hurricane Idalia, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs reminds seniors of the common scams that target them following disasters. As a Certified Senior Care Advisor, I feel compelled to share this information because seniors should beware of storm-chasing scammers.
“There are many services offered by the state and our private sector to keep Floridians resilient. During the rebuild process ahead…the last thing our elders need is to be taken advantage of. Scammers prey on the kindness of seniors, putting them at increased risk of falling victim to scams that arise following hurricanes,” said Department Secretary Michelle Branham.
Contractor and building repair scams, as well as charity and Medicare fraud, are especially common following storms. Secretary Branham highlights the following tips for older Floridians:
- Check before your hire – Check to see whether a company is properly licensed and whether there are any consumer complaints filed against a licensed contractor at MyFloridaLicense.com.
- File with insurance first – Have your insurance company evaluate damage before arranging repairs to ensure that the work will be covered under your policy.
- Be wary of tree removal services – The strong winds brought by Hurricane Ian has resulted in littered yards and uprooted trees. Tree service scams will target seniors who may struggle to clean up their own property. Watch out for anyone who approaches unsolicited about tree removal.
- Make sure your money is used for good – Following a storm, numerous disaster-specific charities pop up. It’s best to donate to charities you are already familiar with. Contact the Florida Attorney General’s Office at 1(866) 9NO-SCAM, to determine whether the charity you are donating to has any complaints against them. First Lady Casey DeSantis opened the Florida Disaster Fund for those who want to help with Hurricane Idalia response and recovery: https://www.volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf
- Watch out for aid scams – The Federal Emergency Management Agency as well as the Florida Division of Emergency Management offer disaster relief through various means. If you’re seeking aid, remember that no state or federal disaster relief agency will call you for your financial information.
- Check your medical bills – Residents of assisted living facilities and nursing homes are prone to what is known as Hospice Fraud, which can include receiving inadequate or incomplete services from a hospice worker, workers falsely certifying or failing to obtain physician certification on plans of care and being enrolled in hospice without the knowledge or permission of the patient or family. Home Health Care Fraud is another potential fraudulent billing risk during times of emergency. Call 1-800-96-ELDER to be connected with the Senior Medicare Patrol in your area to report potential scams.
Throughout Hurricane Idalia recovery, the statewide, non-emergency Elder Helpline has remained fully operational thanks to collaboration from the strong network of service providers. Operators are available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to connect seniors with resources in their area. Please call 1-800-96-ELDER to speak with an operator for assistance.
Additionally, The Department has published a digital Disaster Resource Guide with detailed tips and resources specifically geared toward older Floridians, which can be found at /programs-services/disaster-preparedness
For seniors living alone who are unable to properly clean up after severe storms or hurricanes because they have no family or friends around to help, I encourage you to utilize the resources provided by FDEA or please contact me, in case I can be of assistance in connecting you with trustworthy resources.
Furthermore, if you could benefit from in-home care services by a licensed, bonded, and insured caregiver, I offer a FREE Assessment to discuss specific needs. I can then match the perfect compassionate caregiver who is ready, willing, and able to provide help for seniors before, during, and after severe storms.
We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have received the Home Care Pulse – Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice Award 2016-2022 and the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice Award 2022. We proudly serve male and female seniors in Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Holiday, New Port Richey, Trinity, Port Richey, Hudson, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier℠ 727.942.2539
Source:
Florida Department of Elder Affairs
