Attorney General Cautions People Against Disaster Relief Scams
(State of Michigan, Oct. 4, 2022)
Michigan – Scam artists see disaster tragedies as opportunities to get rich quick. They know people are willing to offer financial help for disaster relief. Unfortunately, this also appeals to scammers who will use disaster relief generosity to capitalize on a donor’s goodwill.
Whether it be an earthquake in Haiti, a hurricane in Florida, or a flood in your local community, scammers will exploit the sympathy of donors by offering heart-wrenching stories or claiming to be a familiar charitable organization to steal donations or to obtain consumers’ sensitive financial information. See Attorney General After the Disaster Scams consumer alert.
Scammers will pose as agents of legitimate and familiar charities or create their own charity name. They may claim to be conducting medical research or raising funds for disaster relief. They will play on emotions by claiming to help children who are ill or have been forced from their home due to a disaster.
Tips for Donating Safely
You can avoid disaster relief and charity scams and still make a positive contribution to relief funds and rebuilding projects if you act wisely before you donate. Here are some tips for donating safely:
- Be cautious of email, text, and phone requests for donations by unfamiliar organizations – make donations to established organizations with a strong track record of organizing and…
