Owensboro, Ky. – Habitat for Humanity of Owensboro‑Daviess County is warning its homeowners about a new scam that mimics the nonprofit’s home‑warranty communications. The fraudulent pink cards, addressed to individual homeowners, claim that a Habitat home warranty is about to expire and list a phone number for immediate action.
Scam details and how it spreads
The cards include the recipient’s real name and address and even list Habitat as the “lender,” making the deception appear credible. Several homeowners, including first‑time buyer Kadi Payne, received the notice and were initially nervous about the alleged expiration.
Payne recalled, “I was kind of nervous, because I originally got a book with all these warranties I already had to do. So I was like, what? I feel like they would have told me.” She chose not to call the number on the card, remembering the advice she received during Habitat’s homeowner workshops.
Habitat’s response and education efforts
“We had several of our homeowners call us and ask about it, some that have recently just moved into their homes and some that have been in it for years. And so we immediately knew it didn’t come from us,” said Amanda Green, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Owensboro‑Daviess County.
Green emphasized that the organization has long taught new homeowners to verify any unexpected communications directly with Habitat before taking action. “We really educate our future homeowners on things to be aware of,” she said. “Unfortunately, the world we’re living in, we can’t always predict what might happen, but we educate them well.”
What residents should do
Habitat urges any homeowner who receives a similar card to refrain from calling the listed number and to contact the nonprofit directly using the official phone number found on their website or in previous correspondence. Green praised Payne for following this protocol: “We’re really proud, I guess, that they called us first. They did exactly what they were supposed to do.”
The organization is now reaching out to every family in its program to reinforce the warning and to remind them that Habitat will never request payment or verification through an unverified third‑party number.
How to protect yourself
If you receive a card that appears to be from Habitat for Humanity, follow these steps:
- Do not call the number printed on the card.
- Locate Habitat’s official contact information on its website or in your homeowner packet.
- Call the official number to confirm whether the notice is legitimate.
- Report any suspicious mail to Habitat’s office so they can track the scam’s scope.
By staying vigilant and using the verification process taught in Habitat’s workshops, homeowners can help protect themselves and their neighbors from fraud.
Community impact
The scam highlights the importance of ongoing education for low‑income families who rely on Habitat’s support to achieve homeownership. As Habitat continues to expand its outreach, the organization hopes that increased awareness will deter scammers and keep families safe.
Original reporting: 14 News WFIE Evansville (news) — read the source article.
