BBB Warns of Scams Related to Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts and Offers Tips for Safe Donations
Birmingham, AL (September 30, 2024) – The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Serving Central and South Alabama is urging consumers to be cautious when donating to relief efforts following Hurricane Helene. In times of crisis, scammers often create fraudulent charity campaigns to exploit the generosity of people eager to help. To ensure donations reach legitimate organizations, the BBB is providing a list of trusted places to donate safely.
How the Scam Works: After a disaster, scammers often set up fake donation websites, social media campaigns, and crowdfunding pages that appear to support relief efforts. These fraudulent campaigns use emotional appeals to urge people to donate immediately. Scammers may even impersonate well-known charities or pose as individuals seeking help through crowdfunding platforms.
BBB Tips for Safe Giving:
1. Verify the Charity – Always check out a charity before donating. Use trusted sites like BBB Wise Giving Alliance (Give.org), Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org), or FEMA’s Volunteer and Donate page (fema.gov).
2. Donate Directly – Avoid unsolicited donation requests on social media or email. Visit the charity’s official website to make your contribution.
3. Use Credit Cards – Credit cards offer added protection against fraud. Avoid sending cash or using payment apps like Venmo or CashApp for donations.
Where to Donate Safely: Here are some trusted national organizations and state-specific Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOADs) where you can donate safely:
National Organizations:
● American Red Cross – Provides disaster relief and emergency assistance across the country. Visit www.redcross.org to donate.
● Salvation Army – Supports those affected by disasters. Visit www.give.helpsalvationarmy.org.
● United Way – Helps communities with disaster relief. Visit www.support.unitedway.org.
● GoFundMe – A BBB Accredited Business that monitors fundraisers for individuals and organizations during disasters. Visit www.gofundme.org.
Contact: Carl Bates President/CEO Phone: (205)558-2219 Email cbates@csal.bbb.org BBB SERVING CENTRAL & SOUTH ALABAMA
● America Cares – Delivers medical and disaster relief to people in need. Visit www.americares.org. ● Samaritan’s Purse – Provides spiritual and physical aid to victims of disaster. Visit www.samaritanspurse.org.
State-Specific Organizations:
● Florida:
○ Florida Disaster Fund – Provides assistance to Florida communities. Visit www.volunteerflorida.org.
● North Carolina:
○ North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund – Administered by the United Way of North Carolina. Visit www.unitedwaync.org.
● South Carolina:
○ One SC Fund – Supports disaster relief efforts in South Carolina. Visit www.onescfund.org.
○ Feeding the Carolinas – Provides food assistance in disaster-affected areas. Visit www.feedingthecarolinas.org.
● Tennessee:
○ East Tennessee Foundation – Helps with disaster recovery in Tennessee. Visit www.easttennesseefoundation.org.
If you suspect a charity scam, report it to BBB Scam Tracker and notify your local authorities.
For more information on how to donate safely and avoid charity scams, visit BBB.org or contact Carl Bates, CEO of BBB Central and South Alabama, at cbates@csal.bbb.org. For inquiries in the Mobile, Baldwin, or Montgomery areas, contact Monde Donaldson, Vice President of BBB Education Foundation, at mdonaldson@csal.bbb.org.
Monetary donations are the best way to help after a disaster as they can help meet immediate needs and aid recovery in the days and weeks ahead.
Those wishing to donate items should only give through a disaster relief organization or the government, and follow this guidance:
- Only give items when they are requested.
- Only give items that are on the list of requested items.
- Do not send items directly to the affected area.
Additional guidance about how to help after a disaster is available at USA.gov.
Here are the links to donate to support disaster relief efforts for people affected by Hurricane Helene:
The American Red Cross is working with partners in the Florida Panhandle, around the capital area in Tallahassee, and in northeast Florida to make sure people have support if and when it is needed. To make a monetary donation, text HELENE to 90999.
The Salvation Army operates mobile feeding units, emergency disaster warehouses and other relief efforts. Citizens can call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) to make a donation by phone, text STORM to 51555
Feeding the Gulf Coast is working closely with our hunger relief partners in communities impacted by the recent severe weather resulting from Hurricane Helene to assess emerging needs and provide essential food and water relief.
Florida Disaster Fund:
- The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with the public sector, private sector and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities. The Florida Disaster Fund distributes funds to service organizations that will serve individuals within their communities with disaster response and recovery.
- Visit volunteerflorida.org to make a monetary donation.
- Volunteer Florida has established resources for individuals and groups who would like to support Floridians affected by Hurricane Helene. Visit volunteerflorida.org to find a volunteer opportunity.
- For more information about the Florida Disaster Fund or Volunteer Florida, please call 850-414-7400 or email info@volunteerflorida.org.