AS COMMUNITIES recover from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, the U.S. Department of Justice anticipates more cases of disaster fraud.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, people impersonated law enforcement, took personal information from victims to file fraudulent claims with the government and solicited donations for fake charities. More than 1,300 cases were prosecuted.

As communities recover from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, the U.S. Department of Justice anticipates more cases of disaster fraud. To protect victims, task forces in the affected areas, including the Middle District of Florida that includes Orlando, are now in place to investigate complaints, DOJ spokesman William Daniels said. Central Florida counties have reported more than $100 million in damages so far.

“What our task force is really going to be looking at is, when disaster funds start coming down, people trying to exploit those programs,” he said.

Hundreds of people nationwide have filed reports with the National Center for Disaster Fraud since Hurricane Harvey hit Texas in August, followed by hurricanes Irma in Florida and Maria in Puerto Rico, Daniels said.

Officials expect more reports as federal aid is dispersed.

Consumers who experience fraud should file complaints with the center, which will be funneled to districts and agencies.It was created after Hurricane Katrina pummeled the Gulf Coast in 2005. The center’s hotline is 866-720-5721. Complaints also may be submitted via email to disaster@leo.gov, on the Department of Justice website at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud.

Fraud complaints differ from the price gauging complaints that came amid Irma, thousands of which were reported to the Florida Attorney General’s office.