On September 5, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) published a blog post regarding what to do in the event of a natural disaster like Hurricane Harvey.  The CFPB recommends that affected consumers consolidate their financial information by using a checklist and take the following steps after their most urgent needs (like food and safety) have been met:

  1. start the claims process by calling the insurance company;
  2. register for FEMA assistance;
  3. contact their mortgage servicer and tell them about the situation, including damage to the home;
  4. contact their credit card company and any other creditors to explain the situation before the next payment is due; and
  5. contact utility companies to suspend service if the home is too damaged to live in.

The CFPB also provides a number of resources to assist consumers:

Finally, the CFPB warns consumer of the increased risk of fraud and provides tips on how to avoid common scams, such as fake charities and contractors selling repairs door-to-door.

Previously, we wrote about guidance from HUD, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae, as well information from the banking agencies regarding Hurricane Harvey.bacon