Court warns of scams targeting Flint water crisis settlement funds
Unauthorized attempts have been made to obtain banking information from claimants in the Flint water crisis settlement.
FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) — The U.S. District Court official overseeing the Flint water crisis settlement is warning of potential scams targeting residents who are awaiting their money.
Special Master Deborah Greenspan has received several reports of unauthorized attempts to contact claimants in the Flint water settlement. Potential scammers are seeking banking information, which they claim is needed to receive settlement funds.
Greenspan, who is in charge of distributing Flint water settlement funds, said the court has not started the process of setting up payment arrangements with most recipients yet. So any contact about the process now is not legitimate.
She is concerned that scammers are attempting to obtain residents’ banking information to steal their money or fraudulently claim their share of the water crisis settlement.
Greenspan encourages anyone who received a request for banking information related to the Flint water crisis not to respond and report it to her office.
U.S. District Court soon will send claimants a package of information, including the payment amount and instructions for accessing a secure payment portal. The portal requires a secure log-in and authentication process, with assistance available from lawyers.
Greenspan’s office will post notices on the Flint water crisis settlement and U.S. District Court website when official notices are mailed to set up payment arrangements later this year.
Payments will primarily be digital, such as direct deposits or through platforms like Venmo or PayPal. Payments for minors will be directed to a trust fund or structured settlement provider.
Paper checks will be available for residents who are unable to receive digital payments.