A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

BBB alerting consumers of post-disaster document replacement scams in wake of E. Ky. flooding


Coping with the after-effects of disasters like floods, wildfires, tornadoes and other harrowing weather events is traumatic enough. Now imagine trying to recover vital records such as birth certificates, drivers’ licenses and Social Security Cards. BBB is warning victims to watch out for unsolicited offers of assistance in replacing these essential documents for a fee.

(Image from BBB)

BBB Scam Tracker is receiving reports about lookalike websites offering to help disaster victims with everything from updating postal addresses to renewing or replacing ID cards and documents for an upfront fee. After sharing personal and financial information, individuals then learn they could have done the same thing for free and have now compromised their identities.

Remember, legitimate agencies will not call or text for this information. BBB warns the public to be mindful of any links that are clicked when searching to recover or change this critical information.

• Confirm the URL before entering personal and financial information. Look for the “HTTPS://” and the lock icon on the purchase page. Learn more at BBB.org.

• Be wary of third-party websites. Check with BBB.org first to ensure personal or financial information isn’t being shared with a scammer.

• Make online purchases with a credit card. It’s easier to dispute fraudulent charges made on a credit card, which might not be the case with other payment methods.

Some state and federal agencies will replace certain documents for free. Visit USA.gov’s Replace Your Vital Records page.

BBB of Cincinnati


Related Posts

Leave a Comment