After the flood: Fraud among the elderly after natural disasters

This research project sought to examine the relationship between natural disasters and contractor fraud. The data consisted of representatives from Harris and Bexar County, TX, two areas recently plagued by severe flooding. The participants for this research were selected from the areas most affected by rainfall and structural damage caused by Tropical Storm Allison and the Bexar County Storms. The following agencies were contacted for assistance: (1) Bexar County Center for Health Care Services; (2) Bexar County Fire Marshal's Office; (3) Bexar County Public Works; (4) Federal Emergency Management Agency; (5) Houston Chronicle; (6) National Flood Insurance Program; (7) San Antonio Express; (8) San Antonio River Authority; and (9) Texas Attorney General. With the assistance of Dr. Dyer of Texas A&M University, the CATI system was implemented using the zip codes of the areas most affected by flooding to obtain the respondents for this research.; Findings from this research indicate that homeowners are at risk of being victims of contractor fraud following a natural disaster. In particular, results indicated that the elderly have the highest risk of being victims of contractor fraud following a natural disaster. Strategies have been proposed that allow potential victims to prevent and prepare against contractor fraud.; The importance of this research is based on the fact that very few research studies examine natural disaster-related fraud. Disaster relief fraud research will induce awareness among law enforcement, Better Business Bureaus, media, and the general public by disseminating information on the potential for fraud in the aftermath of natural disasters. Natural disaster-related fraud research data can be used to assist governmental bodies implement information and procedures to deal with fraudulent activity in civil defense plans. Most importantly, it will allow citizens affected by natural disasters the opportunity to prepare against and prevent being the victims of natural disaster-related fraud.