FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Flagler County Emergency Management on Friday warned residents that individuals misrepresenting themselves as Federal Emergency Management Agency staff have been reported in neighboring communities.
FEMA requires all of its employees to wear a lanyard with their FEMA badges prominently displayed when making formal contact with the public.
“It has come to my attention that individuals claiming to be from FEMA are telling residents they are there to do a home inspection,” said Sally Sherman, Flagler County’s acting public safety emergency manager. “If they don’t have a FEMA badge, they are not from FEMA.”
Additionally, FEMA does not ask for payment for home inspections its staff performs.
In one incident in nearby St. Johns County, a homeowner who had neither applied for FEMA assistance nor sustained any Hurricane Irma damage was approached about a home inspection, Flagler County officials said.
“I don’t want any of our residents to fall prey to one of these scam artists,” Sherman said. “Ask them to leave and then call the Sheriff’s Office.”
The non-emergency number for the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is 386-313-4911.