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Recent violent storms, tornadoes, wildfires, heat waves, and extreme flooding are a reminder that severe weather and natural disasters can happen anytime, anywhere, and with little warning. September is National Preparedness Month and it’s a great time to plan for whatever may come your way.

Scammers are always looking for ways to steal people’s money and personal information. After emergencies, they often pose as government officials, charities, or contractors. Use the FTC’s site, Dealing with Weather Emergencies, to help prepare for a weather emergency — while avoiding the scams that often follow.

To stay ahead of weather-related scams, get started now with these steps.

  • Check your insurance. Find out if any of your home, health, or other insurance policies will pay for temporary shelter, replacement clothing, furniture, or other items if you are affected by extreme weather or a disaster.
  • Organize important papers. Scan and upload PDFs of important documents to personal cloud storage. Make sure access requires a strong password and multifactor authentication.
  • Do a household inventory. Make a list and take pictures of what you own. This can help if you have to file an insurance claim. 
  • Check out contractors before you need one. Ask people you know and trust for recommendations. Then search online for the company’s name with words like “scam” or “complaint.” 
  • Sign up for alerts and warnings in your area. Public safety officials use timely and reliable systems to alert you and your family in the event of severe weather and disasters.
  • Plan for your pets. If you’re like millions nationwide, your pet is an important member of your household. A little planning today can help ensure safety for your pets during an emergency.
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