Natural disasters like Hurricanes Helene and Milton bring out the best in American generosity, as millions of people seek to help those affected by the storms. Unfortunately, these tragedies also attract scammers attempting to steal the money and identities of people who wish to donate to relief efforts.

If you get a phone call, text message or email from someone claiming to represent a hurricane relief charity, verify the legitimacy of the organization before providing any personal information. Request the organization’s official name, mailing address and website address, and keep in mind that scammers often use fake organization names that sound similar to real charities.

You can use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool (TEOS, link below) to verify that you are dealing with an authentic charity, authorized to receive tax-deductible donations. If you cannot find the organization in the database, or if the person who contacted you refuses to answer your questions, do not donate or share sensitive information like your Social Security number (SSN) or credit card number. Instead, hang up immediately or delete the message.

Remember also that legitimate charities will not use high-pressure tactics to push you into donating immediately. They will happily accept your contribution whenever you feel comfortable making it. In addition, trustworthy charitable organizations accept multiple forms of payment, including mailed checks and credit cards. By contrast, scammers often request payments in specific, unusual formats like wire transfers or gift card numbers.

TEOS tool: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/search-for-tax-exempt-organizations