Free Scam Alerts offered by Department of Elder Affairs

As Floridians recover from Hurricane Isaias, scammers may show up at the door or call pretending to be FEMA representatives, tree-removal crews or debris-removal contractors, Florida Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Michelle Branham said.The approach often relies on pressure: A scammer may promise to clear debris or remove a tree, then push a homeowner to pay immediately. Branham said people can be left without the promised work after handing over money.“These scammers are very sophisticated,” Branham said. “Take a beat. Take a pause. Don’t feel pressured, and please don’t pay anything upfront.”Older adults are not the only people being targeted, she said. But scammers may try to take advantage of someone who is willing to stay on the phone or speak with a visitor at the door. Fear and anxiety after a storm can make anyone more vulnerable to a rushed decision.Branham said she has encountered people impersonating FEMA and only realized something was wrong after asking a series of q