Scam-o-Meter: Which scams hit the hardest after natural disasters

Key insights

Data supports that disaster fraud is more widespread than most people realize.

• Up to 77% of disaster survivors experienced a possible scam within a month of the disaster. According to a 2024 Census Bureau survey, the problem is even bigger than it looks. Many victims never report scams, so the true scale is likely higher.
• Up to 37% of Americans have experienced financial fraud after a natural disaster, according to a 2025 Harris Poll survey conducted on behalf of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
• The financial toll is steep. In a single year, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 4,500 complaints about fraudulent charities and disaster relief campaigns. The estimated losses totaled $96 million.
• Contractor fraud is surging. The National Insurance Crime Bureau recorded a 38% increase in contractor fraud between 2023 and 2025. A common tactic for scammers is going door-to-door after a disaster, collecting large deposits, then disappearing or delivering shoddy work.
• Fake charities exploit the generosity of concerned citizens. After major disasters, criminals create fake fundraising pages or impersonate legitimate organizations. They use emotional appeals and urgent messaging to collect donations that go straight into their own pockets.
• When it occurs, identity theft follows survivors long after the disaster. Scammers steal personal information through phishing schemes or compromised systems to file fraudulent government assistance claims. In many cases, victims only discover the fraud when their own aid application is rejected — because someone already claimed it in their name.
• AI is making scams harder to detect. Fraudsters now use AI-generated messages, deepfakes, and convincing fake websites to impersonate government agencies, insurance companies, and even family members.

The chaos of disaster recovery is exactly what scammers count on — remember to slow down, verify information, and never act under pressure.

What our expert says

Tomas Sinicki, managing director at Coveron, recommends the following protection measures to stay safe from homeowner scams and disaster-related fraud:

• Verify contractors through state licensing boards, get multiple estimates, and never pay in full upfront.
• Donate only to charities vetted through independent watchdogs like Candid (GuideStar) or CharityWatch.
• Treat unsolicited calls or messages from government agencies, insurance companies, or contractors with skepticism — always verify through official channels.
• Never provide personal information through unsolicited calls or emails.
• Monitor your credit report and financial accounts for months after a disaster — stolen data can be exploited long after cleanup and repair has started.
• Use an identity theft protection service that includes online fraud insurance — Coveron reimburses you for financial losses if you fall victim to an online scam, so you have a safety net even when scammers slip through.

Taking these steps won’t undo the damage of a disaster, but they can make sure scammers don’t add to it.

Methodology and sources

This article draws on two sources: the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s May 2026 blog post “After A Disaster, Survivors May Get Hit Again By Scammers” opens in a new tab, and “A CPA playbook to help prevent disaster fraud” by Hannah Pitstick opens in a new tab, published in the Journal of Accountancy on July 13, 2026.

What is Scam-o-Meter?

Scam-o-Meter is an ongoing Coveron series where we keep track of online fraud. In each installment, we look at different scam or fraud trends, break down how they work, and share practical tips on how to protect yourself. We also share the latest data from trusted sources — like the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the Journal of Accountancy.