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A Melbourne man who tried to apply for flood aid was told his name had been used to claim emergency funds multiple times.
Maribyrnong resident Stan Gradzki, who lives with his 92-year-old mother, said his identity was used by scammers as flood relief rolls out to Victorians.
His home and belongings were all destroyed in the floods last week.
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"We tried to apply for the payment and they knocked us back, they said there were too many claims at this house," Gradzki told 9News.
"Somebody must have got on and started applying.
"It's so difficult, it's people have trouble applying it's probably due to the scammers.
"I couldn't figure it out and they are now onto it."
Gradzki said the scammers had used his address multiple times to steal the money.
"It's makes you feel numb, you can't understand it. There are better things to see here that has been happening," he said.
"We are still coming to terms with it."
A Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) spokesperson said reports of people making fraudulent applications for emergency payments was "incredibly disappointing".
The spokesperson said the DFFH was aware of a small number of suspected fraudulent relief payment applications being made.
"We refer every suspected fraudulent claim directly to Victoria Police," the spokesperson said.
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Looting arrests
One man has been charged and another is expected to be charged over the alleged looting of a flood-affected home in Maribyrnong earlier this week.
A 26-year-old Sunshine West man has since been charged with 12 offences including burglary, obtaining property by deception, and handling stolen goods.
A 33-year-old Sunshine West man is expected to be charged on summons with deception offences.
Police believe one of the men entered an unoccupied home and stole several personal items before fleeing in a blue Ford Territory.
It is understood two other men remained in the vehicle during the incident.
Source: 9News
