Newly homeless have help available
NORTH COUNTY ---- There's one piece of good news for those suddenly left homeless by last week's wildfires: Plenty of help is here for the asking.
Assistance in finding temporary housing, free telephone calls, reduced building permit fees, financial aid and counseling are among the services available to evacuees.
It appears that nearly every major aspect of the rebuilding process for evacuees has some special program, judging from the numerous news releases companies are sending out.
But there are also numerous scams to beware of, government officials say, as crooks swarm in to take advantage of people's grief and vulnerability.
As evacuees rebuild their lives, they can best protect themselves by knowing at all times who they are dealing with, officials say. Be extra skeptical of those who approach offering help or other services, and check credentials.
To get "one stop-shop" assistance with insurance, housing and other issues, go to one of the assistance centers set up in the affected areas, said Bonnie Dumanis, the San Diego County district attorney.
These centers are in Rancho Bernardo, Fallbrook, Ramona and Rancho San Diego, and are similar to the ones set up for the 2003 wildfires. They are staffed with federal, state and local government officials, representatives of nonprofit organizations, and insurance companies.
Dumanis said she was impressed by the Rancho Bernardo center when she visited Thursday.
"You can get tax relief, there's information about that from the IRS," Dumanis said. "There's information about filling out claims; the insurance agencies are there. The (California) Department of Insurance is there. There's information about mental health issues so you know what to expect. There's information about disaster unemployment assistance."
Bring ID
Although there were many evacuees at the center, Dumanis said there were also plenty of volunteers and the center is keeping long hours.
The only thing fire victims need to get help is photo identification, said Debra Fischle, director of the Rancho Bernardo center.
"We have everything here they could possibly need," Fischle said. "We have state agencies, federal agencies. We have the Red Cross. ... We have a medical support section here. The paramedics are here, Scripps is here, and a pharmacy, so (survivors) can renew their prescriptions."
A 50-foot trailer on the premises provides wireless communications with cell phones and Web access.
"We have a child care center, too, so people need to drop off their children before they go through," Fischle said. "And we have a picnic area for food, if people just need to sit down, relax and eat a little."
One thing the center does not have is building contractors. Those are not considered the most urgent service providers, Fischle said. A separate structure will be set up nearby for the contractors, she said.
Cash on hand
Bank of America has set up a mobile ATM unit at the Rancho Bernardo Assistance Center. Besides the convenient cash, the bank offers help, subject to qualification, such as emergency credit line increases and easier payment plans. The bank is also expediting loans to buy a new primary residence, with no loan fees.
The bank will also waive withdrawal penalties on time deposits and existing IRAs. Moreover, small businesses are being offered similar assistance. For more information, call (866) 500-5279.
Wells Fargo is also offering easier terms for mortgage repayment for qualified fire victims, as well as emergency loans and credit line increases for homeowners and small business owners. Customers should call (800) 869-3557 or visit an office.
Washington Mutual is offering similar services to help distressed customers, such as eased mortgage terms, credit line increases and penalty-free CD early withdrawals. Spokeswoman Oliva Riley said evacuees can get more information at (800) 788-7000. Mortgage loan information is available at (800) 472-1254 or at a branch.
With President Bush's declaration of a disaster area, evacuees become eligible for tax breaks from the Internal Revenue Service, the agency said. Those who filed a federal income tax return last year and paid taxes may be eligible to file an amended return now to claim the loss and get a tax refund. The losses must be itemized. For more information, call the IRS disaster assistance hotline at (866)562-5227 weekdays from 7 a.m to 10 p.m. local time, or go to http://www.irs.gov.
Landlords issue guidelines
Local business organizations are offering help, and urging their members to deal fairly with fire victims.
The San Diego County Apartment Association is urging members to provide listings for fire victims. Guidelines posted on its Web site are designed to guard against price gouging.
For example, the guidelines say units should be offered for a rent or security deposit no greater than that offered to the public during the 30 days before the fire. In addition, rents should not be raised for at least six months.
Price gouging is forbidden under California's state of emergency declaration by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dumanis said. That means prices for certain goods and services can't be raised by more than 10 percent than before the emergency declaration. It applies to hotel rooms, Dumanis said, but it's unclear whether apartments are covered.
Dumanis warned that outright fraud and scams proliferate after disasters. Unlicensed contractors are at or near the top of the list.
These con artists prowl devastated neighborhoods or flock to relief centers, offering services such as debris removal for an upfront fee.
"It's a felony for an unlicensed contractor to do any work in a state of emergency," Dumanis said.
Legitimate contractors will show their photo identification, along with secondary photo ID, and their license number.
"You should compare the license number to the person," Dumanis said. "If you have any questions, contact the contractors' license board at (800) 321-2752.
Some scammers act as insurance adjusters, offering to help with the process for a fee, Dumanis said. That's not necessary, because insurance companies provide free adjusters.
"What they're doing is taking a portion of what you get from your homeowners' insurance," Dumanis said. "You get less because of them."
The general rule to avoid scams is to make sure of the identity of the person you're dealing with, Dumanis said. If someone solicits you, check with the appropriate licensing agency before you give out money or any personal information.
Contact staff writer Bradley J. Fikes at (760) 739-6641 or bfikes@nctimes.com.
Where to get help
On the Web
http://www.sdcountyrecovery.com
Comprehensive local listing of help for disaster survivors
http://www.unitedpolicyholders.org
United Policyholders, a nonprofit that helps people with insurance companies
http://www.insurance.ca.gov/
California Insurance Commissioner
Consumer hotline (800)-927-4357
In Person
Fallbrook
Fallbrook Community Center
341 Heald Lane
Weekdays: 8am - 7pm
Sat 8am - 5pm
Sun 9am - 2pm
Ramona
Ramona Community School
1710 Montecito Road
Weekdays 8am - 7pm
Sat 8am - 5pm
Sun 9am - 2pm
Rancho Bernardo
Glassman Recreation Center
18448 West Bernardo Dr.
Weekdays 7am - 8pm
Sat 8am - 4pm
Sun 9am - 2pm
Rancho San Diego
Cuyamaca College
900 Rancho San Diego Parkway
Weekdays 8am - 7pm
Sat 8am - 5pm
Sun 9am - 2pm