UPDATE: We reached out to FEMA about a suspicious person claiming to be a FEMA employee in Assumption Parish.
A spokesman said "this not is not a FEMA Contractor or employee."
"FEMA has an 800# to report Fraudulent misrepresentation & Scams. Everyone has to be very careful. These cons prey on the elderly especially because they are more trusting & more vulnerable. The only time FEMA Requests personal information is on our 800-621-3362 Disaster Assistance telephone number," a spokesman tells us.
The FEMA FRAUD HOTLINE is 866-720-5721. You also can call local police, he said.
"Anyone can report Attempted fraud to these FEMA number. Pictures are worth a thousand words of course. Video of these illegal acts would be so powerful," the spokesman said.
Earlier today, we reported that a man claiming to be a FEMA employee has been reported in the Pierre Part area.
Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon cautions residents about a person who has been in the Pierre Part area saying he works for FEMA.
"This afternoon, we are receiving complaint's relative to an individual representing himself to be a FEMA employee in the area of Pierre Part Store and Shell Beach Road," a post on the Sheriff's Facebook page states. "Subject identifies himself as Larry but refuses to provide a last name. Subject Larry claims to be working storm related claims and provides the resident a number to call."
But when folks called that number, the first thing requested is a Social Security number.
"The gentleman is driving a low profile DODGE vehicle, 4 door sedan silver in color, with Arkansas license tags 272ZRJ," the sheriff's post states. "If you encounter this individual , do not provide any personal information. We do not know at this time if this individual is a legitimate storm recovery employee. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Sheriff's Office at 985-369-2912."
FEMA tells us that you should always ask to see a FEMA worker's ID badge. "All FEMA representatives carry an identification badge with a photograph. A FEMA shirt or jacket is not proof of identity," FEMA tells us. To read our story about FEMA's cautions against fraud, click here.
Here's the post from the sheriff:
