Tag: Charity Scams

Following the Israel-Gaza crisis in the news and want to help by donating to a charity? Scammers follow the news, too, and are at the ready. Just like in the wake of a natural disaster, scammers set up fake charities to take advantage of your generosity.

Throw a dart at a map of the U.S. and chances are you’ll land on a community that suffered severe weather this year. Whether it’s landslides on the West Coast, extreme ice storms in the South, spring tornadoes across the Midwest, recent flooding in the Northeast, or the wildfires consuming the Hawaiian island of Maui, communities have experienced devastating losses ― and many are still recovering. With any weather disaster, you may consider a charitable donation to help those affected. But how you can avoid charity scams?

The devastation in Turkey and Syria following massive earthquakes is inspiring people to help and donate. And it’s prompting scammers — like they do after every disaster — to take advantage of your generosity. Find out how to make sure your money helps people in need.

Nobody knows how long it’ll take to recover from the destruction Hurricane Ian left behind. But we do know it won’t be long before scammers start trying to cash in on the deadly storm. Whether you’re getting back on your feet or looking for ways to help people in areas hit hardest, learn how scammers operate — and how to avoid them.

As recovery efforts continue in areas hit hard by mother nature’s recent bi-coastal punch, scammers are not far behind. They see tragedy as opportunity, and they'll use the devastation caused by severe storms — like Typhoon Merbok, Hurricane Fiona, and Hurricane Ian, now headed for shore — to try to take advantage of those affected. As well as of anyone who tries to help. That's why it's so important to know how to spot the scams that often follow natural disasters.