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BP cautions Gulf Coast communities about scams

Release date:
14 August 2010

BP Cautions Gulf Coast Communities About Unauthorized Attempts To Obtain Personal Information Or Fees For Safety Training.

 

Company representatives do not go door-to-door or charge for training; public is urged to contact law enforcement authorities to report solicitations.

 

BP today cautioned individuals and businesses to be alert for potential scams - including door-to-door attempts by unauthorized individuals who seek personal information or charge fees for safety training or other purposes in connection with the Deepwater Horizon Gulf of Mexico oil spill response.

 

“There have been isolated reports of incidents in which individuals posing as BP employees have gone to people’s homes to scam residents,” said Mike Utsler, Chief Operating Officer of BP’s Gulf Coast Restoration Organization. “We want the community to know that neither BP nor its claims agency go door-to-door to collect personal data. Any data required for the claims process, employment opportunities or other matters is accepted only at BP claims centers and through authorized BP employees or representatives.

 

“In addition, those seeking spill response jobs need to know that neither BP nor its contractors are charging fees for any safety instruction or other training,” Utsler said. Utsler said that BP is committed to restoring the Gulf of Mexico and helping affected communities recover from the spill. “We also want to ensure that everyone along the coast remains safe from any predatory or illegal actions that could diminish ongoing restoration efforts under way.”

 

BP offers the following tips to safeguard individuals and businesses from scams of this type:

  • Learn in advance about authorized processes and procedures related to claims, safety training, employment and other matters associated with the response by visiting www.restorethegulf.gov, www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com or www.bp.com
  • Do not talk to or allow anyone into your home or business if you believe that person is attempting to obtain personal information, business information or fees for any purpose regarding the Deepwater Horizon incident.
  • Remember that neither BP nor its representatives will knock on your door to request personal or business information. Any information required by the claims process, for employment or for other purposes is accepted only at authorized BP locations and by credentialed BP employees or its representatives.
  • Immediately contact local law enforcement authorities if you are approached by anyone requesting personal information or payment for any purpose while claiming to represent BP or the Deepwater Horizon Response and
  • Contact the Fraud Hotline at 877.359.6281 to report scams or other issues of fraud.

For more information about response efforts, visit www.restorethegulf.gov

Further information:

 

Contacts

 

BP Press Office, London, +44 (0) 20 7496 4076, bppress@bp.com

BP Press Office, Houston, +1 281 366 4463, uspress@bp.com