FEMA officials are urging St. Tammany Parish residents to be wary of who’s knocking on their door.

Jack Heesch with the public affairs office with FEMA said post community relations crews are currently scouring St. Tammany, knocking on doors and aiding those who need help applying for emergency aid. He also said inspectors are beginning to deploy throughout the area to investigate property damage.

This, he said, is a prime opportunity for would-be con artists to take advantage of those needing assistance. “We want people to be cautious when they’re being approached by anyone,” Heesch said. “Officials with FEMA will have a photo ID that says FEMA on it and has the Department of Homeland Security logo on it.”

Heesch said he hasn’t heard any reports yet of anyone posing as a FEMA official, but judging from his past experience, he said it’s bound to happen.

Residents should beware that FEMA personnel will never ask for personal information like Social Security numbers, your driver’s license or banking information, Heesch said.

“Basically, their job is to give people information to make sure they registered and know how,” Heesch said, adding inspectors will always make appointments with homeowners before showing up.

Besides the identity frauds trying to steal personal information from people, Heesch said he’s also seen at other locations people posing as inspectors, showing up to a residence and convincing the homeowner to pay an inspection fee.

“Inspectors get paid by FEMA and will never ask for money,” Heesch said.

Heesch said there might be dozens of inspectors roaming the parish at any given time, but there are only five community relations personnel going door to door, particularly in hard-hit areas.

If anyone seems suspicious in your neighborhood, residents should call their local police.