Scammers are trying to capitalize on people generosity when it comes to making donations to help the victims of the California Wildfires. If you're trying to figure out if an organization is legit, ask yourself whether you reached out to them or they reached out to you. A real red flag is when they contact you through an email, text, or voicemail trying to get a donation. 

As the cleanup continues from hurricanes Helene and Milton in Florida and other states, alarm bells are sounding over scammers. Millions of Americans are trying to lend a helping hand through supplies and donations, but the Better Business Bureau says shady charities are also trying to tap into that spirit of generosity. If you're trying to figure out if an organization is legit, ask yourself whether you reached out to them. A real red flag is when they contact you through an email, text, or voicemail.

The Better Business Bureau is warning of a scam targeting business owners. Per corporate transparency, owners of both active and inactive private businesses are required to fill out a form identifying themselves as the owner by January 2025. Scammers are using emails that closely resemble government agencies, asking people to fill out the form and charging a fee. There is no fee to submit the actual form, and once scammers have your credit card information, they may continue taking money.

The holidays seem to be a time that individuals and businesses are looking to donate to charities to help with their cause. The West Central Ohio Better Business Bureau encourages people to check out the charity you are looking to support if it isn’t one you are familiar with and to make sure it is legitimate. The best thing they say is to stay close to home when making your choice of charities.