To counter scam artists, learn about their tactics now so you’ll recognize them later.

In a perfect world there’d be no scams, especially when people need help most. Unfortunately, scam artists see storms and disasters as an opportunity to steal. To counter these criminals, one of the best things you can do is familiarize yourself with their schemes so you recognize the signs that someone is up to no good.

Watch out for disaster-relief scams

Nefarious scammers may pose as government workers or aid agency employees that show up after a flood, tornado, storm or other disaster. They might appear at your door or reach you through phone calls and texts. A common ploy is to tell people they’ve been selected to receive financial assistance for repairs or living expenses. To get the aid, the person is asked to share personal or bank information. A variation on this scam is to tell folks if they pay a deposit they’ll receive priority for the repairs they need.

Arm yourself with the facts:

• Government disaster assistance agencies do not call or text asking for financial information
• There is no fee to apply for or get disaster assistance from FEMA or the Small Business Administration

Beware of contractor cons

Many post-storm scams involve tree removal and roofing repair services. Imposters collect payment up front but never return to do the work. They may even claim to be partners with your insurance provider. Never provide insurance policy numbers, coverage details or other personal information with anyone with whom you have not entered into a contract.

Beware of free inspections offered in-person or on flyers. A common tactic by scammers is to ask homeowners to sign a form to allow an inspection but the real intent of the form is to give the scammer authorization to act as the homeowner’s agent with the insurance company. After the inspection the scammer typically claims to find significant damage, asks the homeowners to sign over their insurance payment and then disappears without doing the work.

Decline repairs offered at a discount because a pretend-contractor says he has materials left over from another job. This tactic is often paired with high pressure to accept the deal immediately.

Another red flag of a scammer posing as a contractor is someone who offers to waive or refund your homeowners insurance deductible.

In all cases, be wary of unsolicited offers and take your time when choosing contractors. A trustworthy contractor doesn’t go door-to-door after a storm to drum up business and they won’t pressure you for a fast decision.

When hiring contractors, make sure they’re licensed, ask for references, get estimates from multiple companies and ask for a contract. Read the contract carefully and don’t sign unless you understand it completely. Ask a trusted family member, friend or attorney for help if you need to.

Donors need to be watchful too

After a devastating event, many folks naturally want to help those in need. Charity scammers take advantage of this generosity to pocket money meant to help people recover from disaster. They use phone calls, texts and fake websites posing as legitimate charities to get cash donations.

The FCC warns consumers to be aware of scammers posing as charities seeking donations for disaster relief. To protect yourself from this type of fraud the agency says to:

• Only donate to trusted, well-known charities. Always verify a charity’s legitimacy through its official website. If you have doubts, you can check with Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch or GuideStar.
• Verify all phone numbers for charities. Check the charity’s official website to see if the number you have is legitimate. If you’re using text-to-donate, check with the charity to ensure the number is legitimate before donating.
• Do not open suspicious emails. If you receive a suspicious email requesting donations or other assistance, do not click on any links or open any attachments. Scammers regularly use email for phishing attacks and to spread malware.
• Verify information in social media posts. Double-check any solicitation for charitable donations before you give. Crowd-funding websites often host individual requests for help, but they are not always vetted by the site or other sources.

Talk to someone you trust before you act

In the midst of dealing with the after-effects of a storm, people are more vulnerable to scams. They’re stressed. They’re tired. They need help. Their guard is down. If you find yourself in this situation and someone asks for money or personal information the best thing to do is stop and talk to someone you trust.

“Before you do anything else, tell someone—a friend, a family member, a neighbor—what happened,” advises the Michigan Consumer Protection Team at the state attorney general’s office. “Talking about it could help you realize it’s a scam. It can also make others aware of the scam, helping them to avoid it.”

Stopping to question a situation can help you avoid a scam and save money.