Hurricane Katrina: Legal Issues - Columbus School of Law

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institutions to determine, and verify if their clients have been affected by the hurricane. This system of identifying affected areas by zip code has been the standard used for modern natural disasters that occur in the U.S. today, and has not differed significantly for Hurricane Katrina. To find out whether or not a zip code has been declared a disaster area, log onto: www.fema.org. Have there been an increase in Credit Card scams or fraud as a result of Hurricane Katrina? As in most disaster situations, there tend to be an increase in fraud and scams, however, credit card companies are aware that this activity increases with disaster situations, and use counteractive measures to detect and eliminate increased fraudulent activity. For instance, American Express’ fraud detection division, labeled their “Security Team” has been closely monitoring the accounts of Hurricane Katrina victims for any possible unusual activity. By doing so, they have been able to prevent their card holders from paying for others’ illegal activities. For more information on American Express security measure, contact their division for Communication and Community Affairs at: (954) 503- 3091. Credit Card Company Contact Information What are credit card companies and banks doing to help alleviate the current and future debts of their clients? Overall, the major credit card companies are using similar measures to help customers manage their debt both in the immediate aftermath, and to some extent long term. Most companies are offering some type of temporary payment suspension for between 30 and 90days for their affected customers to help manage current debt. And to help mitigate their customers’ future debt, most companies have begun waiving certain service charges and fees. Specific company offers are listed below, based in large part from information gathered through The Financial Services Roundtable. Additional information can be found at their website: www.fsround.org. For more information on what your credit card company can do for you, please contact the companies directly. All financial institutions, credit card companies included, are urging anyone affected by Hurricane Katrina to get in touch with them immediately. This way, the company can work with the client and establish a debt payment plan as early as possible. The earlier a client contacts their financial institution, the more assistance the institution can offer. AMERICAN EXPRESS www.americanexpress.com (800) 333-2639 American Express is currently providing assistance not only to their own card members, but to the families of their card members as well. They have waived late fees for all current balance payments, as well as current and future overdraft fees (for a limited period of time). In addition, American Express has automatically granted extensions of credit to their affected customers. Also, card members who have family affected by the hurricane can use their credit cards as debit cards, draw upon their accounts, and wire the money to family through a deal worked out with Western Union and Moneygram. From a less financial perspective, American Express has been actively involved in helping their clients acquire available lodging, facilitating check-in, and even helping with prescription replacement and medical referralsi. CAPITAL ONE www.capitalone.com (800) 955-7070 The Capital One Financial Corporation has been helping their clients by waiving fees for service charges as well as past due, and overdraft fees. They have also been giving additional consideration to customers affected by the
hurricane that live outside of the zip codes designated as disaster areas. Additionally, Capital One has gone the extra step to avoid customer annoyance by suspending all outbound telemarketing calls to customers in designated disaster areas, based on area codeii. CITI GROUP www.citibank.com/us/cards (800) 950-5114 The Citigroup has decided to review their actions every 30 days to help customers. Currently, they are suspending payments, waiving interest and fees, and suspending collection calls on all accounts affected by the hurricane. In addition, Citigroup is no reporting any negative activity to any credit bureau, and disaster lines of credit will be implemented. Also, cash advance fees have been waivediii. DISCOVER www.discovercard.com (800) 347-2683 Discover Card has offered debt relief in the form of payment relief, and emergency replacement cards and PIN numbers. Customers with Discover accounts are urged to contact Discover as soon as possible so they can work with the customer and try to accommodate their individual needsiv. MASTERCARD www.mastercard.com (800) 622-7747 MasterCard International has been waiving current transaction fees on donations made from U.S. issued accounts to the Red Cross and AmeriCaresv. VISA – USA www.visa.com (800) 847- 2911 Visa USA has established an emergency hotline which any cardholder with a zip code in the disaster region can access: (800) VISA-911 (listed above). Through this hotline, members can obtain emergency lost card reporting/replacement, emergency cash, and emergency messaging with other Visa members. Visa has also set up mobile ATM’s to go into affected areas, so their members can access funds directly. Visa fraud detection department has been closely monitoring member accounts for any signs of fraud associated with the hurricanevi. Banking Issues What do I need to do if my bank was destroyed? The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration, the Office of the Comptroller, the Office of Thrift Supervision, and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors are reminding the public that deposit insurance is in full force and that money in FDIC or NCUA insured banks are protected. Try calling your bank phone number as many banks have provided information via telephone. You may also contact FEMA or Red Cross for assistance if you are not able to reach your bank. How should I go about banking at a place of relocation?
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Hurricane Katrina: Legal Issues Fro
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5.1 Homeowner's Insurance 5.1.1 Cov
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7.1.2 Who Is Eligible To Receive Fo
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10.1 Child support 10.1.1 Are FEMA
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10.6.4.1 Right to remain silent 10.
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14.1.5 If I have a client that has
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website are urged to seek individua
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landlord to be released from his or
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(1) the landlord has a written leas
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the loan and the fees associated wi
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General suggestions. Contact Your M
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Liability for damages Does a proper
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from its foundation. What if damage
Page 27 and 28: If the mortgagee (bank) is named in
Page 29 and 30: used. A company should be able to f
Page 31 and 32: esources of state and local governm
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Page 35 and 36: Yes, FEMA is authorized to accept l
Page 37 and 38: eceipts to FEMA through the IHP pro
Page 39 and 40: from FEMA, you must repay the amoun
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Page 43 and 44: MEDICAID, CHIP, WIC What Is Medicai
Page 45 and 46: What Is WIC? WIC is The Supplementa
Page 47 and 48: How Do I Replace My Social Security
Page 49 and 50: should contact the state Department
Page 51 and 52: Self-employed individuals who lost
Page 53 and 54: 146.113(b)(2) (2004). What health i
Page 55 and 56: The FMLA provides an option for emp
Page 57 and 58: award. A decrease in child support
Page 59 and 60: How does the foster care system wor
Page 61 and 62: What are the criteria for appointin
Page 63 and 64: When, or under what circumstances,
Page 65 and 66: Investigation 1. Review any court f
Page 67 and 68: confidential (meaning it is not a p
Page 69 and 70: A child must be immediately informe
Page 71 and 72: e a runaway. “Probable cause” m
Page 73 and 74: Tell your child to show respect, bu
Page 75 and 76: Check out the charity's financial i
Page 77: If your car was submerged or standi
Page 81 and 82: Because of the difficulty in comfir
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Hurricane Katrina: Legal Issues - Columbus School of Law

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