Avoid Scammers and False Charities
How To Help Harvey Survivors: Volunteer & Donate Responsibly
A natural disaster is certainly unfortunate enough, especially for those directly affected. There are people, though, that are intent on making matters worse. Many are already using Hurricane Harvey as their own piggy bank and they will take extraordinary measures to profit from the survivor’s loss — and from your good intentions. Beware.
Below you’ll find the information you need to help you make sure your best efforts and good deeds aren’t manipulated or taken advantage of. And most importantly, that your help actually gets to where it’s needed most.
For starters
There are Facebook and Twitter posts currently circulating that state FEMA and various other organizations want to employ you (with no experience) for several thousand dollars per week.
The vast majority of these are FALSE.
If you are seriously interested in getting involved with FEMA work, you can find out how on their website: Careers FEMA/Hurricane Harvey.
In fact, be sure to research anything you find on social media that looks suspicious or too good to be true. Social platforms can be an incredible asset to humanitarian efforts — and they can also quickly spread scams, propaganda and corrupt information. Learn how to tell the difference.
There are already several posts circulating on Facebook and Twitter concerning everything from fake FEMA work, charity drives by organizations of ill refute, and even propaganda from people pretending to be looters in order to rally contempt for reputable social movements.
Don’t fall for this garbage, be smarter than those trying to con you.
Volunteer Opportunities
If you would like to volunteer to assist Hurricane Harvey survivors, please connect with a trustworthy organization. Independent volunteer efforts can actually cause more confusion for the local communities affected. If you truly want to help, there are organized opportunities available for anyone with the desire. These also help to maximize your benefit by matching your work focus with your personal talents and skill set.
Often during a disaster there is an immediate outpouring of help… which is an incredible example of human compassion. However, generally after media attention has refocused on new current events, the disaster area tends to become somewhat forgotten. This is when help is most desperately needed.
Rest assured that there will be opportunities available for Harvey Relief efforts well into our future… weeks and even months from now. So please, keep this in mind while you are deciding how best to focus your concern and compassion on helping the needs of the survivors.
Donations
Unfortunately, a natural disaster is a great way for disreputable people and/or groups to exploit victim’s suffering as well as your kindness and generosity. Please research any and everything that you have questions about — especially if you intend to donate your time or money to them.
“After Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, the FBI said more than 4,600 websites advertising relief efforts popped up, most of which law enforcement suspected were fraudulent. The Red Cross asked the FBI to investigate 15 sites that mirrored its own website in the days following Katrina.
One of the most brazen Katrina-related fraud cases Green recalled involved two men who registered a fake Salvation Army domain name — “salvationarmyonline.org” — and used it to collect nearly $50,000 in donations. Another man who claimed he was flying to Louisiana with medical supplies collected $40,000 in two days on “KatrinaAir.com,” according to a Justice Department spokesperson. He never arrived.” (Source: CNN Money)
The following organizations are among the leading charity watchdogs in the country. Visit these to help you make decisions you can be proud of — and so your generosity can be best utilized to help the causes you believe in:
- NPR has an amazing list of organizations that are on the ground now and could use your support immediately. Click here for info: How You Can Help
- Charity Navigator is a reputable site to help you decide which ways your gifts can be best used. Visit their site here: Harvey Relief
- The Better Business Bureau has a site dedicated to truthfulness in fundraising. Visit BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance to view accredited charity reports.
- The American Institute of Philanthropy exposes nonprofit abuses and advocates for your interests as a donor. Visit them here: Charity Watch
- GuideStar provides nonprofit profiles to help you make smart decisions concerning charitable giving.
