State officials are warning Typhoon Halong survivors to be on high alert following a surge in fraudulent social media accounts falsely claiming to offer “free grants” through the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC).
According to AHFC, multiple fake profiles and pages have recently circulated online, targeting residents in storm-impacted communities and requesting personal details, banking information, or upfront fees in exchange for supposed disaster relief benefits.
AHFC emphasized that it never asks survivors to pay money, send financial information, or communicate through direct messages to receive assistance. Any request of this kind is an immediate red flag.
Only two official channels exist for disaster assistance in Alaska:
- State of Alaska Individual Assistance Program
Survivors can apply directly at:
https://ready.alaska.gov/Recovery/IA - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Federal aid is available through official FEMA registration portals and approved field staff only.
Officials are urging residents to verify the legitimacy of all disaster-related information, report suspicious accounts, and avoid sharing personal data with anyone claiming to represent AHFC outside of its authenticated platforms.
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As recovery efforts continue across Western Alaska, authorities say preventing fraud is critical to ensuring that help reaches those who truly need it.
If you are unsure whether a message or offer is legitimate, contact the State’s Individual Assistance office or AHFC directly before responding.
