Beware of Hurricane Relief Scams: Tips to Safely Donate or Receive Help in a Natural Disaster

As Americans in the South continue to be impacted by devastating hurricanes, people from all over the country are eager to help. Unfortunately, the kindness shown by fellow citizens creates the perfect opportunity for scammers to take advantage of good intentions. It’s also quite common for them to target victims of the actual disaster when those affected are in a time of need. Staying alert to how scam artists can take advantage of you will keep you safe. Below you’ll find more information about the most common hurricane relief scams, plus tips on how to avoid falling for them.

Social media natural disaster scams

Access to social media makes it easier than ever for scammers to tug at people’s heartstrings during a disaster. In a 2016 post about Hurricane Matthew, the LaRue County Chamber of Commerce in Kentucky shared that it’s important to be vigilant about any posts.

Often a scammer will show “never before seen” photos of the disaster area (which are likely being posted by other scammers as well) to garner sympathy. They will then direct people to a fake website where personal information or monetary donations will be stolen.

GoFundMe natural disaster scams

GoFundMe campaigns can really make a difference for people going through a hard time. But unless you know the person or have a mutual connection, it’s impossible to make sure the money is getting into the right hands.

Bad actors can impersonate real-life people online in hopes of getting donations or fabricate stories that will encourage eager-to-help citizens to contribute to the cause. But because this person isn’t actually in need of financial relief after a disaster, they simply pocket the money.

Charity phishing scams around hurricanes and natural disasters

Phishing emails can be a problem year-round for most people, though scammers often use natural disasters, shopping sales events and holidays as an excuse to increase their efforts. During these times, people have a lot going on in their lives, making them more susceptible to falling for the trap.

After previous hurricanes, scammers have been known to send out spam messages and emails that claim to be from a relief organization. They will either include a link to a website created to steal your personal information or attachments in the email that contain a virus.

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Fake charity website scams

In some cases, a scammer will go so far as to create a fake website after a disaster that appears to be for a legitimate organization. The goal is to make you believe you are contributing to the cause.

In reality, these phony sites only want your personal information, money, or both. Once you provide this to them, they can steal your identity or access your bank accounts.

FEMA check scams

For those located in the area of a disaster, it’s common for scammers to begin targeting them claiming they are trying to help. In one Reddit thread , a poster in Asheville, North Carolina shared what happened after their wife was interviewed by a national news outlet about the storm.

“Later that day, a man called her wanting to send her a check so she could use it to help the community,” they wrote. “It was a scam. He wanted her details so he could file a FEMA request in her name, directing the funds to his bank account.”

Post-disaster contractor scams

Another popular scam for those affected by a hurricane is scam artists promising to help them rebuild their property. These people pose as fake contractors and will sometimes solicit residents in person.

In the same Reddit thread, someone from New Orleans shared their own experience. “Throughout recovery after Katrina (up through now) you'll see an influx of pickups and trailers with out-of-state plates looking to get a deposit and run,” they commented.

Yet another commenter added that this can happen on social media too, with people posting they’re offering services to clean up or fix damage. Once they get your deposit, they never respond again.

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How to avoid hurricane relief scams

"The public should exercise diligence before giving contributions to anyone soliciting donations or individuals offering to assist those affected by Helene," the Justice Department said in a recent statement, according to CBS News . "Solicitations can originate from phone calls, texts, social media, email, door-to-door collections, flyers, mailings and other similar methods." Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to avoid falling victim to one of these common scams.

• Make contributions directly to known organizations, and use their official websites.  As the North Carolina Department of Justice points out, “You can also research a charity’s ratings and history through the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, or GuideStar.”
• When you’re researching a charity, be on the lookout for copy-cat names that are similar to those of reputable charities. This is also important if you’re on what you believe to be the official website.
• Stay clear of cash donations if you. Instead, “pay by credit card or write a check directly to the charity,” suggests the United States Attorney’s Office . “Do not make checks payable to individuals.”
• Exercise caution for emails or texts that contain attachments related to disaster relief, and don’t open them if you can’t verify the sender.
• Make any contributions yourself, rather than relying on another person to do it for you. This ensures your efforts get to the right source.
• If you need to work with contractors after a disaster, check credentials and licensing, as well as contact information. It’s also a good idea to keep both FEMA and your insurance company in the loop during any repairs.

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