Beware of Tornado-Related Scams

There are plenty of ways to offer help to the victims of Monday’s deadly Oklahoma tornado, but some of them will be fake. This seems to happen every time a disaster strikes, scammers! Watch out for imposters and scammers who will mislead the public and try to steal your personal information along with your money.

It’s important to take extra care when you’re trying to help out. Here are  some of the ways you can help the disaster victims:

1) Text Red Cross to 90999 to donate $10.
2) Refer people who haven’t heard from missing loved ones to www.safeandwell.org.
3) Donate to The Salvation Army online, by phone at (800) 725-2769 or by texting STORM to 80888 and confirming a $10 donation by typing “yes.”
4) Donate to Feed the Children online or call (800) 627-4556.

The Better Business Bureau suggests that you do some research to make sure the charity is not poorly organized or questionable. If it’s brand new, it may be one or both. Make sure you have a clear understanding of when and how the money will be used to help victims. If you’re donating online, pay attention to the links you’re clicking and make sure the web address is exactly what it should be, because some scammers try to imitate the look of established charities.

Thank you for your help.