Legal, financial assistance available for tornado victims Published May 31, 2013 By Mike W. Ray Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Air Force is providing legal and/or financial assistance to military and civilian personnel at Tinker whose property sustained damage from the storms last week. Anyone whose vehicle sustained hail damage while on base last week qualifies for compensation from the Air Force Claims Service Center. That particular hail storm was considered an 'unusual occurrence'; consequently, anyone directly affected may apply for reimbursement through the Claims Service Center website at https://claims.jag.af.mil/ . "The Air Force views this as a morale program for its Airmen and civilian employees," said Capt. John V. Fuentes, Legal Assistance chief with the 72nd Air Base Wing Judge Advocate's Office. The 72nd ABW Legal Office always provides free legal assistance to active duty and retired military personnel in need of legal help. The office provides the legal advice on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., in Bldg. 460. However, if you need legal assistance pertaining to an emergency arising from the tornadoes that raked Oklahoma last week, contact Captain Fuentes at 739-5811 or via email at john.fuentes@tinker.af.mil for help outside regular legal-assistance hours. "Unfortunately, the Legal Office cannot provide free legal advice to civilian employees at Tinker," Captain Fuentes said. However, an organization of Oklahoma attorneys has established a toll-free number (855-205-0083) and a local number (359-4286) for anyone who needs legal advice. Callers will be directed to a volunteer attorney "who will address their specific needs regarding insurance claims or other tornado-related legal matters," Captain Fuentes said. Federal funding is available to residents who sustained losses from the tornadoes. You can apply for federal assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice, the captain said. "When making an insurance claim, most people significantly undervalue the value of their personal property inside the house," Captain Fuentes said. In a total-loss situation, most people underreport their losses by 50 percent to 80 percent "because they don't recall everything in their home, and often tend to forget to claim simple items" like toilet paper, salt and pepper shakers, the extra set of sheets in the back of the closet, items in an attic or basement, etc. "Before you file your insurance claims, and as soon as possible, take photographs of the damage to your house to submit with your claim," Captain Fuentes advised. "Your photograph of that damaged hot-tub may ensure that you receive the money to which you are entitled." Another point of concern after a natural disaster is identity theft. "Unfortunately, unscrupulous individuals often take advantage of disasters and relaxed rules with regards to obtaining personal identification documents such as Social Security Cards, to commit identity theft," the captain said. Should that happen to you, he recommended contacting the three major credit reporting agencies and placing a fraud alert on your credit report. Those are: Experian 1-877-397-3742; Equifax 1-800-680-7289; and Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289.