Fake FEMA officials reported in flood-ravaged Vernon County

[Tab]

Source: Associated Press

VIROQUA, Wis. - Vernon County officials say people are posing as fake representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In a news release, county Emergency Management officials say there is a report of people trying to enter homes to evaluate damages. Vernon County is one of 20 counties declared federal disaster areas after severe flooding.

Officials are telling residents that if anyone shows up posing as a FEMA representative, they should ask for FEMA-issued photo identification.

Also, if their license plate can be safely seen, officials ask residents to write it down.


Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-wi-fakedfema,0,41347.story

[phrigndumass]

1. Unbelievable

:puke:

[happygoluckytoyou]

2. probably more useful that the REAL FEMA guys....heck of a job Brownie

[elocs]

6. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but Wisconsin's Democratic Governor Doyle

is satisfied with the job that FEMA has done here. I think the people impacted by the flooding last summer here are largely satisfied with the help which FEMA provided. I remember last summer that the deadline for applying for help was extended several times to include everyone who needed help.

[blayne]

9. I'm sure that's how the figured out they were fakes...

because they got there so quick. They probably weren't expecting anyone for weeks.

[truedelphi]

19. You little ol' cynic - YOU!

:rofl:

[Auggie]

3. What in hell has happened to our society???

[Occulus]

4. Republicans. n/t

[Auggie]

7. Maybe...

What gets me is how bad it's become.

The lack of morals to steal from people suffering disaster...

the myopic greed that pollutes the biosphere...

the disrespect of sentient beings and the hatred and meanness behind actions...

If there was ever a group on earth destined to kill each other off, it's humans.

[Occulus]

23. If you apply that as a checklist, it's Republicans trying to kill us ALL off.

Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb bomb Iran.....

[Bennyboy]

5. I guees Limpballs got his wish......

When he said he wanted to see the looting that took place in new Orleans....

[elocs]

8. You know, I actually live here in SW Wisconsin and I've heard nothing about any looting at all.

I have noticed a lot of posters here at DU from places like California or Florida trying tell how things are here in Wisconsin when they don't really know. In any disaster you will find people who try and take advantage of other's misery, trying to con them in one way or another. This one is no different.

[Bennyboy]

12. Exactly...in CA we have fires and

illegal contractors swoop in and screw people over. Crime is crime, be it looting or faking FEMA ID's.....

[elocs]

15. Right, what I'm saying is that this type of fraud is not the fault of any level of government,

it is human nature. The reason much of this works is that there are people who will fall for anything, and even more so if they are traumatized by a disaster. But around here I have not heard of any problem with any looting. I am surprised that any fake FEMA stuff would work since most of these people in the flooded areas here went through it last year and so they should be familiar with the situation.

[Tashca]

18. I understand your frustration

I'm here in the Cedar Rapids area....I see so many posters on here who think they know what's going on in Iowa too. I can't believe the ignorance I witness.
My wife set up a FEMA account Tuesday. A FEMA rep. called Thursday and set an appointment for 10 o'clock this morning. She was right on time...professional and courteous. We did an interview and took pictures of our damage. I was very impressed.
If you believed half the stupid bullshit posted on here........oh well.....forget it....

[elocs]

20. I've been saying the same thing, but the concern posters from California know better

what's going on right here in the midwest than we do. It's nice to hear that things are going well for you with FEMA in Cedar Rapids. Most of the people here in Wisconsin, including our governor, have been happy with the way FEMA has handled things this time and last summer when we had a 100 year flood.

[jus_the_facts]

22. FEMA helped you huh?

...what color is your skin...oh well...never mind...just forget it. :eyes:

[Tashca]

24. Never said they helped us

Based on the criteria.....it looks like we wasted their time. I think my wife and I will eat the loss on our own. I guess we'll see.
I am a middle aged white male. The interviewer was a Puerto-rican woman and the person shadowing her was a very nice young black woman. The interviewer was involved in Katrina.....and told of unbelievable corruption that occurred down there....people paying off interviewers and not even looking at the damage. She explained this as the reason for being so much more thorough. I don't give a damn if a person is white, black, or green.....they should spend a good time in prison if the are corrupting the system set up to help people.

I am not too impressed with your race baiting......

[Wizard777]

10. If they don't know what F.E.M.A. stands for. They are more than likely real employees.

[slampoet]

11. If FEMA had arrived in time there would be nothing for these con men to exploit.

[Ian David]

13. Are the fake FEMA officials also staging fake press conferences?

FEMA official involved in fake press conference resigns
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2149272

[HelloDubya]

14. Would you want REAL FEMA people in your home?????

After Katrina, I wouldn't care if they were real or fake - I wouldn't let EITHER in my home!

[Tutonic]

21. AWWWWWWWWWW!!!

Funny.

[Carnea]

16. But the article doesn't say what the fake FEMA people are doing?

Is it identity theft? Are they helping people? Are they impressing the lady folk with their blue windbreakers?

Somehow I missed the crime element here..... also I'm not sure if they actual caught someone doing this of if it is a generic heads up.

[whistle]

17. Who are these FEMA officials imposters and just what misrepresentations

...are they performing?