As we dive deeper into both the hurricane and holiday seasons, it’s important to remember that malicious cyber activity is never far behind. Hurricane Helene has just unleashed her fury on a number of Southeastern states, leaving a wake of devastation behind her. With the death toll at over 130 already and countless homes destroyed, families and loved ones have already begun to set up crowd sourcing pages to help recoup what they can to survive and begin again.
It’s natural that when a disaster occurs, our first instinct is to help. Following a natural catastrophe, such as Hurricane Helene, food, fresh water, clothing, and medical supplies are often the first necessities. However, monetary donations are often the best way to help after a disaster, as they allow relief organizations to buy the exact supplies they need in bulk.
Once you decide to donate to a disaster relief fund, always ask yourself this question: is this a charity or is this a charade?
As you look for a charity or fund to donate to, there are several tools at your disposal. A quick Google search featuring the name of a selected charity along with terms like fraud, scam, or complaint, may give you peace of mind that you are donating to a legitimate organization. If you are looking for more assurance that your donations are going to their intended cause, there are still more tools available.
The Federal Trade Commission has outlined a few ways to validate the legitimacy of a charity in this article. There are also notable websites available to help you select a charity, such as www.give.org or www.charitynavigator.org.
Note: legitimate charity websites typically end in .org rather than .com.
There are a few things to keep in mind before donating to a cause during a period of disaster relief.
- Unsolicited emails from unreputable senders should not be answered, and you should always avoid clicking on links they may contain.
- Do not send money over the phone unless you initiated the call and are confident that the charity is legitimate by referencing the above sources.
- Be cautious of crowdfunding sites, such as GoFundMe, since there is typically minimal vetting during the aftermath of disaster. The Better Business Bureau cites that photos and emotional appeals are not always accurate, and often levied to pull at unsuspecting heartstrings for their own gain.
Much of this guidance also applies to donations toward holiday-specific charities. Consumers have found themselves at the mercy of scammers when trying to spread holiday generosity through supporting charities. In particular, GoFundMe was specifically named in an article released by the United States Attorney’s Office last December.
It’s important to note that legitimate charities do not use high-pressure tactics and will not rush you to donate immediately. It’s imperative to valid organizations that you take your time when deciding on a charity to assist. Be cautious of look-alike names when it comes to well-known organizations, as scammers will mimic the appearance of a legitimate charity to deceive potential victims. Furthermore, you should always keep track of your donations, legitimate or otherwise, to ensure that your transaction is not recurring or that additional charges do not accrue without authorization.
Any suspicious activity should be reported to your financial institution if you believe you’ve fallen victim to a charity scheme. Time is of the essence when it comes to collecting stolen funds, and the best practice is to begin investigative process’ the moment suspicion begins. You can report fraudulent activity directly with any Community First Bank branch, or by calling the Deposit Operations team directly at (509) 783-0955.
Kylee Tretteen, Deposit Operations Specialist
