HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) – As relief efforts progress in the wake of Hurricane Helene and the emergence of Hurricane Milton, officials are alerting the public to be vigilant against scammers exploiting these natural disasters for financial gain.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) emphasizes that a significant warning sign of a potential scam is when an organization claims that 100% of donations will directly benefit those affected.
“If someone guarantees that 100% of your donation goes to the impacted parties, it’s a red flag,” said Josh Planos, the BBB’s Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations. “Nonprofit organizations typically allocate some funds for essential costs like marketing and overhead, making such a claim unrealistic.”
Planos also cautioned against crowdsourced donation campaigns, which often attract opportunistic fraudsters. “There are many bad actors out there, and identifying deserving organizations can feel like playing Whack-a-Mole,” he stated. “Many scams are people masquerading as legitimate organizations, particularly on social media platforms like Facebook.”
To further protect yourself from scams, the BBB recommends verifying that any organization you consider donating to has a physical address. “If an organization lacks a proven track record or physical presence, approach with caution,” advised Planos. “While we hope our donations go as planned, the reality is that this isn’t always the case.”
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