Screening your calls

Your phone may start ringing incessantly. Some calls will be important, but many will be solicitations or scams. Fraud is common after disasters, so protect your personal information.

As a general rule: If you don’t recognize the number, let it go to voicemail. Call back only after verifying the caller’s identity.

Click through for a full guide to protecting yourself.

*This information has been checked for accuracy and non-bias
 by licensed professionals, experts and representatives from National 501c3’s. 
Consult with a licensed professional about your specific situation. 

If They Claim to Be from

Your Insurance Company

A legitimate adjuster will:

  • State their full name and title

  • Name your insurance company and your claim number

  • Provide their California adjuster license number and offer to send it in writing

  • Give you a direct callback number

  • Follow up with an official email or letter

Protect yourself:

  1. Never rush, even if they claim you’ll lose your place in line

  2. Hang up and verify by calling your insurer’s main number and asking for them by name

Red flags:

  • Won’t fully identify themselves

  • Can’t provide a claim number or license number

  • Pressures you to decide or sign quickly

  • Asks for payment (adjusters are paid by the insurer)

If They Claim to

Be from FEMA

A real FEMA representative will:

  • Give you their full name and your application number

  • Show a federal photo ID badge (in person or video)

  • Provide the FEMA helpline number: 800-621-3362

Red flags:

  • Ask for money (FEMA is free)

  • Demand bank info or your full SSN upfront

  • Won’t give you their FEMA ID number or allow verification

  • Show up without proper ID

  • Ask you to download suspicious links or apps

Best practices:

  1. Write down their name, FEMA ID, and callback number

  2. Confirm details you already know from your application

  3. Call 800-621-3362 to verify any FEMA contact

  4. Never give out sensitive info until you confirm who they are

If They Claim to Be

from the Red Cross

Services are always free

  • Anyone asking for payment or banking info is not legitimate

If They Claim to

Be Lawyers

Experts suggest being cautious with lawyers who reach out without being asked.

While some may be well-intentioned, unsolicited solicitation is discouraged in the legal field and can sometimes indicate a practice that may not be the right fit.