LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency is cautioning wildland fire survivors about fraud and scam artists.

Unfortunately, disaster responses often attract scam artists, identity thieves, and other criminals.

Survivors should keep watch for, and report any potential suspicious activity or fraud from scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals.

If you suspect someone is perpetrating fraud, call National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or your local police department.

Survivors will be asked to provide their Social Security number and banking information only when registering for FEMA assistance. They should never give this information to contractors.

Ask to see the inspector’s identification badge. A FEMA or U.S. Small Business Administration shirt or jacket is not proof of someone’s affiliation with the government. Federal employees and contractors carry official photo identification.

FEMA inspectors will already have applicants’ nine digit registration number and will never require banking or other personal information.

If in doubt, survivors should not give out any information.

Survivors also should watch out for fake offers of federal aid, such as a phone or in-person solicitor promising to speed up the insurance, disaster assistance or building-permit process for a fee.

Other scam artists promise a disaster grant and ask for large cash deposits or advance payments in full.

Federal workers do not solicit or accept money, and FEMA and SBA staffers will never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or for assisting individuals fill out applications.

Disasters also attract fraudulent contractors who offer to begin work immediately and request a cash advance payment. When hiring a contractor:

Residents should only use licensed local contractors who are backed by reliable references and get written estimates from at least three contractors that include the cost of labor and materials.

Residents also should insist that contractors carry general liability insurance.