In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, the Better Business Bureau is urging the public to be on high alert for charity scams that prey on goodwill and generosity.
Leah Napoliello, Vice President of the BBB, emphasized the increasing prevalence of scams that aim to take advantage of people’s goodwill in these challenging times.
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“So after these types of hurricanes, we unfortunately see a lot of charity scams occurring,” Napoliello said. “First, you see those fake charities. They’re just not a nonprofit organization whatsoever. And they contact people via the phone, email, text, or social media wanting you to give money. But instead, they’re trying to take that money from you, scam you, or get your personal information. So you want to avoid those entirely.”
According to Napoliello, scammers also impersonate well-known charities by making minor changes to legitimate web addresses, making it difficult for donors to notice the difference.
“They may take a reputable charity that everyone knows, and they’ll change the Web address just slightly enough to fool people,” she added.
Napoliello provided critical tips on how to identify fraudulent charities. One of the most prominent red flags is when a charity pressures donors to give on the spot without time to research the organization.
“A reputable charity knows that if they know your money is good today or tomorrow, they don’t have to have it immediately,” she explained.
Another key warning sign is the method of payment. Scammers often request untraceable forms of payment, such as Cash App or wire transfers.
“You want to make sure if you are donating to pay with a credit card,” Napoliello advised.
If you suspect you have donated to a fraudulent charity, Napoliello urges people to act quickly.
“You should notify the IRS, let them know so they can investigate it. Also, the Federal Trade Commission investigates these types of charity scams as well. So definitely notify the authorities.”
For those who used a credit card to make the donation, she recommends contacting your credit card company to dispute the charges.
Napoliello highlighted the importance of thoroughly researching charities before donating.
“You can check with the Better Business Bureau. Our Wise Giving Alliance actually has a list of charities that are helping with this particular disaster and also meet our standards,” she said.
The BBB also works to track and report on charities that fail to meet their standards of accountability. This information is available on their Wise Giving Alliance website, a resource that allows donors to confirm the legitimacy of a charity.
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Napoliello also cautioned against donating through crowdfunding sites unless the recipient is someone you personally know.
“We see many instances where there are fake stories put out there, and some crowdfunding sites vet the pages, but others do not,” she warned.
Finally, she urged donors to give to organizations with proven disaster relief experience, stating, “Make sure you’re giving to a group that is well-versed in disaster relief and knows how to get the help to the people that need it in the fastest and most efficient way possible.”