LIMA, OH (WLIO) – It's been five days since floodwaters took the lives of more than 100 people in Texas and impacted thousands more. In the wake of tragedies like this, people often look for ways to help—but scammers are quick to exploit that generosity.
The Better Business Bureau is urging the public to remain cautious when donating to help flood victims.
Don’t trust caller ID, officials warn, as those can be spoofed. And before gathering physical items to send to Texas, the BBB says it’s more effective to donate money.
“Resist the urge to send physical goods like water and clothing. It's just not cost effective. By the time you ship it down there, it's really better to give money to an organization that's already established down in that area that can then use that money to get what is really needed on the ground. Look for charities that have already been in existence and have a clear mission about how they're going to help in that local tragedy, otherwise, your risk of having your money go to a scammer just increases quite a bit," says Lane Montz, President/CEO, BBB of Northwest Ohio.
Montz also advises that it’s better to seek out trustworthy charities yourself rather than respond to unsolicited requests.
“But if you get an email or a text or a robo call that says, hey, we're putting together something for the families down in Texas from the flood, the chances of that being a scam are quite a bit higher than if you go out on your own. You can never go wrong with the Red Cross and organizations like that, they're just more organized. They have a stronger sense of mission, and what they deliver is usually more impactful,” says Montz.
If you'd like to verify whether a charity is reputable, visit the Wise Giving Alliance.
