Common mistakes to avoid

Prepare for severe weather, outages, disasters, evacuation, medications, medical equipment, caregivers, transportation, and communication access. These warning signs are intended to slow down a decision long enough to verify the facts.

Mistakes and warning signs

  • Relying on one phone, one caregiver, one vehicle, or one power source.
  • Using a generator indoors or near openings.
  • Assuming every shelter can meet every medical or accessibility need.
  • Waiting for an evacuation order to arrange transportation.
  • Failing to keep medication and equipment information available offline.
  • Sharing an old alert without checking location and expiration.

Stop and verify when

  • Someone demands immediate payment, secrecy, remote computer access, or personal credentials.
  • A deadline, coverage rule, eligibility amount, or legal requirement is stated without an official source and date.
  • A provider, contractor, plan, facility, or product cannot be independently verified.
  • The total cost, cancellation terms, exclusions, or appeal rights are unclear.
  • A recommendation ignores the person’s state, disability, medical condition, caregiver situation, or transportation.
  • A website copies an agency logo but uses an unfamiliar domain.

A safer response

1. Pause the transaction or decision when possible.

2. Save the notice, advertisement, contract, message, or bill.

3. Contact the responsible agency or company through an independently verified channel.

4. Ask a trusted person or qualified professional to review the decision.

5. Report suspected fraud, abuse, unsafe care, or discrimination to the appropriate authority.

Sources for verification

Continue reading

Within this subject: Updates and Official Changes, Decision Checklist, Official Help and Trusted Starting Points, State-by-State Differences.

Related subjects: Utility Bills, Energy Assistance, and Shutoff Protection, Accessible Transportation and Medical Travel, Assistive Technology, Medical Equipment, and Home Modifications.

Last reviewed

This warning-sign guide was reviewed on 2026-07-30.