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📍 San Antonio, July 9, 2025 — In the aftermath of the devastating July 4 floods across Texas Hill Country, the FBI San Antonio Field Office has issued a public warning about fraud schemes that frequently emerge during disaster recovery efforts. The agency urges residents and donors to remain vigilant against scammers posing as charitable organizations or government officials.
💸 Fraudulent Activity on the Rise According to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), more than 4,500 complaints were filed in 2024 related to fake charities and disaster relief scams, resulting in $96 million in reported losses. These schemes often involve solicitations via email, text, phone calls, or door-to-door visits, and may request donations through cash, gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
🗣️ Official Statements
- Aaron Tapp, FBI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge: “Scammers who view this heartbreaking disaster as an illicit financial opportunity will be identified and held accountable.”
- Justin R. Simmons, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas: “We will do everything we can to hold to account those who would take advantage of a person’s loss and heartache.”
🔍 Common Scam Tactics
- Impersonation of government agencies or reputable nonprofits (e.g., American Red Cross)
- Offers of temporary housing for a fee
- Unlicensed repair crews soliciting work without insurance verification
🛡️ Tips to Avoid Fraud
- Donate only to verified charities and use secure payment methods
- Avoid clicking on unsolicited links or attachments
- Confirm legitimacy by contacting organizations directly
- Use resources from the Federal Trade Commission and IC3.gov to learn more about scam prevention
📞 Reporting Fraud Victims or witnesses of disaster-related fraud can report incidents to:
- FBI: 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov
- National Center for Disaster Fraud: 1-866-720-5721 or justice.gov/disastercomplaintform
For the full advisory, visit the FBI San Antonio press release.
