Disaster-Proof: How to Protect Your Finances and Digital Life Before, During, and After a Crisis
Published on June 2, 2025
By Chavelle Zackery | JPMC Financial Wellness DEPLOY Fellow, and Benjamin Saldana | Cybersecurity DEPLOY Fellow
Natural disasters don’t just shake the ground, they shake up your finances, your digital security, and your sense of stability. When routines collapse and stress runs high, cybercriminals and scammers seize the moment, targeting vulnerable families already in survival mode. The physical damage is devastating, but the financial and emotional toll can linger far longer.
Take hurricane season in 2024, especially brutal in Florida. Families like mine were tossed into chaos first by Hurricane Milton, and just as we started to recover, Hurricane Helene made landfall, leaving behind another path of destruction. Our home bore the brunt, and we barely had time to catch our breath.
Cue the tornado — my very own ticket to Oz.
Just when I thought natural disasters were done taking a break on me, a last-minute Christmas gift came knocking at my door. Let me take you back to a not-so-merry post-Christmas morning. Picture this: the sky darkened ominously, the wind howled like a banshee, and before I could say “Dorothy,” a tornado decided to drop in uninvited. Half our house gone, the car totaled, and me — well, I was suddenly cast as Dorothy, minus the ruby slippers and talking scarecrow.
But instead of a yellow brick road, we were left navigating FEMA forms, insurance claims, and the emotional toll of starting from scratch. That’s where this guide comes in.
In this blog, Benjamin Saldana and I team up to answer five critical questions that will help you prepare, respond, and recover smarter and safer. Because while you can’t always control the storm, you can have a plan for the aftermath.
1. Prep Now, Stress Less: How Can Families Get Financially and Digitally Ready for a Crisis
From Chavelle: Financial First Aid
➔ Build an emergency fund (3-6 months of expenses) in a liquid, easy-access account
➔ Gather key documents: insurance, tax returns, loan info, income proof
➔ Save digital copies in the cloud and print hard copies stored in a waterproof folder
➔ Review your insurance coverage, don’t find out you’re underinsured after the fact
➔ Add powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and key account info to your emergency file
➔ Prep a 30-60 day bill list and set up auto-pay for essentials if evacuation is likely
From Benjamin: Lock Down Your Digital Life
➔ Enable multifactor authentication (MFA) on bank, email, health, and cloud accounts
➔ Use strong, unique passwords for each account — store them in a password manager
➔ Turn on device locks and “Find My Device” or remote wipe features before evacuating
➔ Back up all critical data (documents, photos, passwords) to a secure cloud service
➔ Limit or pause access to rarely used apps and accounts during the crisis
2. Managing Money and Staying Digitally Safe When Everything's Down
From Chavelle: Smart Money Moves When Systems are Shaky
Disasters can limit access to banking infrastructure. ATMs may be offline, and bank branches may be closed. That’s why it’s smart to keep some emergency cash or a prepaid card on hand. If you're using mobile banking, make sure your banking app is updated and configured with biometric access for quick and secure use.
If you’re expecting relief funds or insurance payouts, track these only through official portals, not links received via text or email. Know the difference between legitimate and scam outreach. Use budgeting apps that allow for offline access, and avoid making major financial decisions under pressure.
From Benjamin: Digital Safety on the Go
When routines are disrupted, secure access to your digital accounts becomes a lifeline. Avoid logging into sensitive accounts over public Wi-Fi at shelters or hotels unless you're using a VPN. Disable auto-connect settings so your devices don’t automatically join insecure networks as you travel.
If you’re forced to use shared or borrowed devices, don’t save login info, and make sure you log out completely after use. Stick to secure apps you know and avoid downloading anything new unless absolutely necessary. The less you expose your accounts and devices during a crisis, the safer you’ll be.
3. Watch Out for Scams After a Disaster
From Chavelle: Spotting the Sneaky Stuff
After disasters, fraud skyrockets. Be especially wary of fake relief fund offers, bogus charities, and phishing calls from imposters posing as FEMA or insurance reps. Don’t trust urgent messages asking you to "verify information" or "click to claim aid."
Always go to the official website to check your claim status, and never share personal or banking information unless you’re absolutely sure who you're dealing with. Keep an eye on your bank statements and credit card activity, fraud often shows up in small transactions that are easy to overlook.
From Benjamin: Outsmart the Chaos Creators
Scammers thrive in chaos. Expect a flood of phishing emails and fake texts using phrases like “urgent aid,” “emergency payment,” or “click here for assistance.” The best defense is to pause and verify by visiting official sites directly; don’t trust links in messages.
Also, beware of emotionally charged GoFundMe campaigns or donation requests, especially those circulating through social media or group chats. Verify before giving. And remember: legitimate agencies will never ask you to send gift cards or provide full account credentials over email or text.
4. What You Should Do Financially & Digitally After the Storm Clears
From Chavelle: Financial Recovery 101
➔ Document the damage. Take photos and gather receipts for insurance claims ASAP.
➔ Check your financial pulse. Look for missed payments, overdrafts, or suspicious charges.
➔ Pull your credit reports. Spot unauthorized accounts or fraud early, get them for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.
➔ Call your creditors. Banks and lenders may offer relief options, deferments, or fee waivers — ask!
➔ Lost income? Connect with a certified financial counselor to rebuild your savings and manage debt smartly.
From Benjamin: Digital Cleanup & Protection
➔ Review account activity. Look for suspicious logins on email, banking, and cloud accounts.
➔ Change those passwords. Especially if you used public Wi-Fi or borrowed devices during the crisis.
➔ Worried about ID theft? Consider placing a credit freeze or fraud alert with the big three bureaus.
➔ Audit your apps. Revoke permissions and delete anything you no longer use; less is more post-crisis.
➔ Don’t assume it’s fine. Even if your devices survived, your data might not have. Check thoroughly.
5. Building Long-Term Resilience to be Better Protected the Next Time a Disaster Occurs
From Chavelle: Building Financial Resilience That Lasts
Long-term financial resilience means building a dedicated emergency fund, reviewing your insurance coverage annually, and storing key records digitally in a secure, accessible location. Make a habit of conducting yearly financial checkups and updating your will or estate plan if needed.
Consider creating a financial continuity plan that includes how bills will be paid if you cannot work, where backup funds are kept, and who can act on your behalf in a crisis.
From Benjamin: Make Cyber Resilience a Habit
Cyber resilience isn’t just for corporations. Make regular cloud backups of important files and documents, and get into the habit of reviewing your account security settings every six months. Limit what you share publicly; announcing you're away or evacuated can invite criminals into your physical and digital life.
Assign trusted contacts to key accounts like Google or Apple so someone can help with recovery if you're incapacitated. Most importantly, cybersecurity should be kept as a routine, not a reaction. When disaster strikes, you’ll be ready.
Bonus: Resources for Military Families Navigating Disasters
Military families face unique challenges during emergencies, but you don’t have to go it alone. These trusted resources offer support with everything from housing to mental health and emergency funds:
Emergency & Financial Assistance
✅ Blue Star Families Chapters
Nourish the Service events at chapter locations are always helpful when disaster hits the
neighborhood. Go and check if there is a chapter near you!
✅ Army Emergency Relief (AER)
Offers interest-free loans and grants for emergency travel, temporary lodging, and basic living
expenses.
✅ Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS)
Provides emergency financial help, including disaster recovery support, for Navy and Marine
Corps families.
✅ Air Force Aid Society (AFAS)
Financial relief and community programs for Air and Space Force families affected by disasters.
✅ Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA)
Emergency aid, housing help, and disaster relief grants for Coast Guard members and families.
✅ FEMA Disaster Assistance for Service Members
FEMA works with the DoD to help military families apply for federal disaster relief benefits.
✅ Veterans Affairs (VA) Disaster Relief Resources
VA home loan holders and benefits recipients can find specific post-disaster services and
support.
Final Thoughts
Disasters may strike without warning, but financial and cyber resilience is something you can build every day, with a plan, a little patience, and the right resources in your back pocket. Whether you're rebuilding after the storm or simply preparing for the "what ifs," remember this: you don’t have to have it all figured out at once.
Every checklist you complete, document you back up, or conversation you start about financial readiness is a step toward security and peace of mind. So take a breath, click your heels (metaphorically, of course), and know that with preparation and community, there really is no place like a safe, stable home.
Stay ready, stay supported, and we’ll see you next Money Monday.