The Earthquake Commission is warning people in Canterbury not to be taken in by bogus damage assessors.
Since the magnitude 7.1 earthquake on 4 September, some would-be burglars or conmen have passed themselves off as inspectors.
The EQC says it currently has more than 100 personnel in Canterbury making assessments, and that number will swell to about 400 within a fortnight.
Operations manager Doug Bent told a public forum on Tuesday night that people should ask for names and a driver's licence if they suspect a bogus inspector.
He says doing that, or asking for the property specific claim number, will ensure that people are not taken in.
The Earthquake Commission says it has now received 52,000 claims relating to the earthquake.