Ken Bibbee removes flood-damaged flooring at his property in the wake of Hurricane Ian Sunday in Bonita Springs.
Sean Rayford/Getty ImagesWith so much damage left behind due to Hurricane Ian, scammers are ready to take their best shot at getting some cash out of your wallet. St. Petersburg police posted four tips to avoid getting taken for a ride by shady fake insurance companies or crooked contractors.
The call you SHOULDN'T take...
If you get a phone call you didn't ask for from someone claming to be with your insurance company, don't give out any information to "verify" your account.
The call you SHOULD make...
If you get one of those suspicious calls, hang up. Then call your insurance company to see if there was any legitimate reason for a call. Chances are it was a fraud.
Contractor claims...
If a contractor says they work directly with your insurance company, be skeptical. Do NOT give them your policy number, your coverage amounts or any other kind of personal information they can use.
To see if a contractor is legit...
Simply verify they are licensed and insured. Don't take them at their word. Always do the research at myfloridalicense.com. There you can also file a complaint.
Our friends to the south are still reeling from the direct hit by Hurricane Ian. Here are some of the scenes from the ground. Our station is part of the Beasley Media Group. We sent broadcast equipment to our affiliate stations in Fort Myers to help those without power and cell service to get updates on where to find food and help. If you'd like to offer your support, money is being raised for the American Red Cross relief efforts at bbgi.com/donate.
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)Whitney Hall waves to a friend from the remains of his home while waving the American flag amidst wreckage left in the wake of Hurricane Ian on the island of Matlacha.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)James Pironti washes off the muddy money he recovered from his bedroom in Fort Myers.
(Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)A storm damaged Bentley rests against a tree in Bonita Springs, Florida.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)A fish lays on the road after Hurricane Ian passed through the area in Fort Myers.
Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesWheels peek out of the water in Fort Myers Beach.
(Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)Sanibel Island, Florida.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)Members of the Indiana Task Force 1 Search and Rescue team look for anyone needing help in Fort Myers.
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)A resident of a neighborhood flooded by the rising Myakka River carries her dog after being evacuated in North Port.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)Dan Beazley rolls a cross through an area where homes were destroyed in Fort Myers. Mr. Beazley said he brought the cross with him to help hurricane victims with healing and love.
Sean Rayford/Getty ImagesPeople talk near boats resting on a sidewalk Saturday in Bonita Springs, Florida.
(Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)The wait in line for gas Saturday in Bonita Springs, Florida.
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)A resident paddling a kayak returns to his home with supplies in a neighborhood flooded by a rising Myakka River in North Port, Florida.
(Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)A storm damaged residence in the wake of Hurricane Ian on Sanibel Island, Florida. Known for rescues in Afghanistan and Ukraine, the Project DYNAMO team was unable to make contact with the person they were searching for.
(Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)Bryan Stern, right, Dean Calderone, and Alexander Toal, left, of the Project DYNAMO rescue organization, look into a garage on Sanibel Island.
