SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S JULY 2025 FRAUD ALERT: TEXAS FLOODS CREATE A FLOOD OF SCAMS

The devastating damage and loss created by the flooding in Texas and around the nation is practically inconceivable. The loss of life…especially young lives…is staggering and horrific beyond description.

While following news coverage of the Texas Hill Country, we have seen communities, neighbors and agencies roll up their sleeves and help in any way possible. This compassion is what makes this nation remarkable.

Equally as inconceivable is the fact that individuals would see this tragedy as an opportunity to defraud caring people wishing to help. Making one of the nation’s most catastrophic events even more unbearable are the scammers directly targeting the victims of this event.

The theft of money and of personal information from those who have lost homes, property and loved ones has been reported. Fraudulent government agency members, some claiming to be employed by FEMA, have approached flood victims. Ransom calls demanding money for information regarding information about missing relatives and loved ones have been reported, as well.

Driven by emotion, individuals often fall prey to these criminals.

This month’s “Fraud Alert” may be a duplication of similar warnings that I have issued in the past.

Joylessly, these deplorable and scandalous behaviors always seem to follow the disasters and tragedies that occur.

As always, I implore that recipients of these calls, texts and emails reach out to agencies such as the Better Business Bureau, FEMA and/or the Federal Trade Commission to verify the validity of the messages that you receive.

There are many credible and exceptional agencies that offer assistance to victims of disaster and you are encouraged to offer assistance and funding to these groups. Other efforts, such as “GoFundMe,” need to be carefully scrutinized.

If still unsure, considerer visiting Charity Watch (charitywatch.org) and/or GuideStar (guidestar.org) to verify legitimacy.