Following hurricanes Helene and Milton, there has been a surge in misinformation and online scams targeting individuals looking to help those affected. Scammers are posing as legitimate charities to exploit people's desire to assist, prompting warnings from organizations like the National Center for Disaster Fraud. Multiple news outlets are reporting on the various ways scammers are trying to deceive individuals, including through social media, phone calls, and fraudulent websites
This trend of taking advantage of natural disasters for personal gain is not new, as seen in past instances like Hurricane Harvey, where phishers targeted victims and potential donors with deceptive schemes. Authorities advise individuals to verify charity organizations, be cautious of donation requests over the phone or social media, and watch out for red flags like government imposters asking for financial information. Vigilance and fact-checking are crucial to avoid falling victim to scams amidst the hurricane aftermath. https://www.govtech.com/blogs/lohrmann-on-cybersecurity/misinformation-online-scams-surging-following-historic-hurricanes