Red Flags to Avoid Being Scammed When Looking for Disaster Relief Resources: Scambusters #1,168
When disaster happens, communities often come together to help those in need. Sadly, these crises can also bring out people and groups with harmful intentions, who take advantage of the vulnerability and kindness of others.
Disaster Scams: What You Need to Know and How to Stay Safe
All too often, a TV news station reports on yet another disaster happening somewhere in the world. Along with these disasters come scammers trying to take advantage of those affected. Disaster scams are a growing problem that targets both survivors and those who wish to assist them.
When disasters strike around the world, survivors seek help from disaster relief organizations. Some people take advantage of these situations to commit fraud. These scams target those in urgent need of help or generous donors who want to contribute. The goal is usually the same: to steal money, personal information, or resources.
Let’s look at how these scams work, the warning signs to watch for, and steps you can take to protect yourself.
Common Types of Disaster Emergencies
To understand how widespread these scams are, we need to recognize the types of events that often attract fraudulent schemes.
- Natural Disasters – hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, floods
- Public Health Crises – pandemics like COVID-19 or disease outbreaks
- Humanitarian Crises – refugee situations, major displacements
- Terror Attacks or War Scenarios
- Man-Made Disasters – industrial accidents, oil spills
Emergencies often need different kinds of help, which gives scammers numerous opportunities to take advantage of people.
Victims of disasters often need:
- Immediate shelter, food, and water
- Financial assistance or insurance payouts
- Rebuilding efforts (housing, infrastructure)
- Emergency medical care or supplies
- Emotional or mental health support
Unfortunately, these needs create opportunities for scammers to offer fake help or dishonest services.
Types of Scams During Disaster Emergencies
Fraud often increases during emergencies. Scammers use different tricks, such as:
- Fake Charity Scams – Scammers pose as legitimate organizations, collecting donations for relief efforts.
- Government or FEMA Impersonation – Scammers claim they represent government agencies offering grants or aid in exchange for personal information.
- Insurance Fraud – Fake claims adjusters or contractors demand upfront fees to process disaster insurance claims.
- Rental and Housing Scams – Scammers advertise nonexistent or unsafe properties when survivors search for emergency housing.
- Phishing Emails and Texts – Messages that claim to offer help often include harmful links designed to steal personal information.
- Business or Contractor Scams – Some contractors pretend to fix damaged property but take the money and disappear.
How Disaster Scammers Find Their Victims
Scammers look for opportunities and come up with clever ways to find and take advantage of their victims. They use different methods to locate and target people:
- Monitoring social media posts for survivors posting about their need for help.
- Scanning public donation lists to contact donors directly.
- Using customer information from breaches for phishing emails tailored to current emergencies.
- Targeting frequent donors through charity databases or aggregated marketing platforms.
- Fake emergency websites or apps that lure victims.
- Spoofed phone calls or emails pretending to be from charities or agencies.
Red Flags of a Disaster Emergency Scam
Be cautious of these warning signs when it comes to charities or requests for donations:
- Pressure to "donate now" or to share personal information
- Charities or organizations that can't prove they are legitimate
- Poor grammar and typos in emails or on websites offering help
- Requests for payment using gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
- Links to strange or suspicious websites in emails or on social media
Do Disaster Scammers Double-Stack Their Attempts?
Scammers will often target you multiple times by using your response to one disaster scam to lure you into another. For example:
- After stealing personal details through a fake crowdfunding campaign, they might attempt to steal your identity.
- Once they know you donated to an “emergency aid project,” they may follow up with a phishing attack pretending to be the same organization.
Do Legitimate Emergency Companies Ever Scam Donors?
Most major emergency response organizations are reliable, but sometimes there are cases of dishonest workers or contractors. Always:
- Verify credentials directly with the organization.
- Double-check charity ratings on oversight platforms.
Can Disaster Scammers Be Caught?
Yes, it can be done, but it's tough. Agencies like the FBI and international groups work hard to find and punish scam artists. However, many scams originate in other countries, making it more challenging to take legal action.
Resources for Victims of Disaster Relief Scams
If you suspect you’ve been scammed, check out your options below:
- Report It – File a report with your local law enforcement agency.
- Contact the Federal Trade Commission – How To Avoid Scams After Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters.
- File a complaint – File a Complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
- Contact Your Bank – If you paid the scammer, notify your bank or credit card company immediately to dispute charges.
- Change Passwords – If you have provided personal or account information, change all related passwords immediately. Use strong, unique passphrases.
- Alert the Community – Warn others about the scam, either locally or online. This helps prevent others from falling victim to similar scams.
Check out this video below on charity disaster scams:
Conclusion
By being proactive and educated, we can reduce the effects of disaster scams and make sure that more resources reach the people who really need them. Recognizing and avoiding scams is the first step in protecting yourself and others. Be vigilant, stay informed, and always verify before donating or engaging with individuals offering "help."
If you're unsure, reach out to trusted organizations or law enforcement for guidance.
By staying proactive and informed, we can minimize the impact of disaster scams and ensure that more resources are allocated to those who truly need them.
Remember, Stay Safe and Stay Informed.