First Alert Safety Desk: Avoiding Charity Scams after a natural disaster [Video]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Donation scams or charity fraud can become rampant after a natural disaster.

This can happen when scammers try to exploit people’s generosity by soliciting donations or falsely posing as legitimate charities.

There are some things you can do to make sure your money goes where you intend it to. The most important thing to do is research an organization before you decide to donate.

The IRS says scammers frequently use names that sound like well-known charities to confuse people.

Potential donors should ask the fundraiser for the charity’s exact name, website, and mailing address so they can independently confirm it.

A search tool to find or verify qualified, legitimate charities can be found here.

Tags Heat Wave, Hurricane, Stay Safe