Nassau Notebook: FEMA Hurricane Aid, Counterfeit Lottery Scams

FEMA to Help County Residents

FEMA is opening a Disaster Relief Center in Nassau County at the Mitchel Field administration building to help those affected by Irene.

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano detailed programs that Nassau residents and businesses may utilize, including: indivduals and household program, crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance, USDA food commodities, disaster legal services and a supplemental nutrition assistance program, among others.

"Last week, Nassau County was approved for federal disaster aid for homeowners, renters and small businesses throughout the County," Mangano said. "I encourage residents who think they may qualify for federal aid or who would like additional information on what disaster assistance programs are available to stop by this FEMA Mobile Disaster Recovery Center. In addition, residents can call FEMA."

The center's hours of operation will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. The center was in the middle of its set-up on Friday afternoon, but it will officially open at 7 p.m., Mangano said.

The center apparently couldn't open fast enough: Just after the press conference ended, a woman named Karen walked in to seek disaster assistance.

Police Warn Residents of Counterfeit Lottery Scams

Mangano and Acting Police Commissioner Thomas C. Krumpter are urging citizens to be vigilant when receiving unexpected mailings or other forms of solicitations that inform them that they are winners of a lottery, especially if the correspondence is from a foreign country.

It has come to the attention of the Nassau County Police Department that individuals are receiving phone calls and notifications in the mail that they are winners of a sweepstakes lottery and in some instances they receive a partial bank check of the winnings that appears to be legitimate.

These lotteries are scams that can cost citizens thousands of unrecoverable dollars. The police have advised, “If you did not buy a lottery ticket, you cannot win a lottery" and “If you receive a check for a lottery you did not enter, it is counterfeit.”

The following tips are being offered in the event you are sent one of these counterfeit lottery notifications:

• Don’t send money if a caller requires you send money “right now!” and that you must wire money before you can claim your prize.
• Don’t wire money to someone you don’t know. After your money is paid, you will not get it back.
• Don’t send money to someone who tells you what to say to the wire transfer agent, or says you should hide information or lie to the agent.
• No legitimate bank or credit card company will ask you to supply them with your social security number or bank account passwords over the telephone or online.
• Contact your local police department if you receive one of these counterfeit lottery notifications.

County Clerk Offers Help with Deed and Mortgage Documents

Nassau County Clerk Maureen O’Connell has instituted an emergency hotline to help Nassau residents whose documents have been impacted by flood waters. When homeowners call the hotline, county clerk employees will assist them with information on how to quickly obtain replacements for lost vital papers such as deed or mortgage documents.

All deed and mortgage documents for property located in Nassau are recorded and maintained at the county clerk’s office and only the clerk’s office can issue certified copies of these records, which are legally equivalent to the original. There is a nominal charge for copies of these documents depending on their size.

Anyone wishing to request a certified copy of their deed or mortgage documents is urged to call the county clerk hotline at 516-571-3629 for further information and assistance.

“Cruise to the Show” Parade and Car Show Announced

On Sunday, Sept. 18 at 9 a.m. the second annual “Cruise to the Show” parade and car show will begin at Briarcliffe College in Bethpage and continue to Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. More than 1,000 vehicles of all makes, models and years will follow the parade route, and spectators are encouraged to watch them drive by along the parade route. Staging begins at 8 a.m. and the parade kicks off at 9 a.m. heading south on Stewart Avenue to Hempstead Turnpike before ending at Eisenhower Park.

Numerous trophies will be awarded to winners from different categories. Once again, attendees are asked to bring two cans of non-perishable foods to support Island Harvest.

Also happening on Sunday will be the "Cruise to the Show 5K Charity Walk" to benefit Winthrop Hospital’s Cancer Center for Kids, which will be held at Eisenhower Park at 9 a.m. The walk will begin at the same time as the parade, and will end just as the cars begin to arrive at Eisenhower Park.

For more information, including information on becoming a vendor, please call (516) 573-3488.