In the aftermath of natural disasters and other devastating events, many relief organizations, government agencies and volunteers offer their services to the affected community. Unfortunately, plenty of scammers are also at the ready.
“Disaster-related scams are not only common, but they’ve also become more frequent and more convincing,” Lisa Plaggemier, executive director at the National Cybersecurity Alliance, told HuffPost. “As we’ve seen after storms like Helene, Harvey and Irma, cybercriminals waste no time deploying misinformation and impersonation tactics across email, social media and crowdfunding sites.”
She noted that the rise of AI-generated content and spoofed caller IDs has made it even more difficult to distinguish real aid efforts from fake ones.
“Scammers now target both affected communities and those looking to donate, exploiting every angle of a disaster,” Plaggemier lamented. “Unfortunately, the trend is accelerating, not slowing.”
Below, Plaggemier and FightCybercrime.org executive director Ally Armeson break down some of the most common scams that arise after natural disasters and how to spot them.
1. Fake FEMA Websites And Agents
“In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey, attackers launched email campaigns impersonating relief agencies to trick victims into sharing sensitive data or making fraudulent payments,” Plaggemier said.
This kind of scam has continued to pop up following horrific disasters to this day. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides important relief to victims, but if you plan to apply for aid, it’s important to be mindful of fake FEMA sites and scammers posing as agents who reach out by phone, email, text or even in-person contact.
“Go directly to official websites like FEMA.gov,” Plaggemier urged. “If someone claims to be a government agent, ask for ID and never give out personal details unless you’ve confirmed their legitimacy.”
Remember that FEMA will never ask you for money, not even an application fee, and the agency wouldn’t request private banking information over the phone. You can also call the agency’s hotline at 1-800-621-3362 to check on anything that seems fishy.
“Always go directly to disasterassistance.gov to apply for aid or check your status,” Armeson advised.
2. Charity Scams
It’s natural to feel helpless after a horrific tragedy like the recent loss of life in the Texas floods, and many people try to make a difference by donating to charitable causes aiding in the relief effort and helping victims.
Unfortunately, fraudsters capitalize on this desire to help by setting up fake charities or posing as real ones that already exist.
“These scams prey on fear, urgency and goodwill ― making both victims and donors easy targets,” Plaggemier said.
She recommended using platforms like CharityNavigator.org to vet charities, and paying attention to unfamiliar websites and social media profiles.
“Always double-check any communication claiming to be from a relief organization,” Plaggemier advised. “The biggest red flags include unsolicited messages demanding urgent donations, requests for gift cards or wire transfers, and websites or emails that look almost right but have small differences like misspelled URLs or poor grammar.”
3. Phony GoFundMe Campaigns
“Crowdfunding can be a powerful tool for good,” Armeson noted. “Many people genuinely need help, and GoFundMe and similar platforms can provide direct support, but some people exploit that trust.”
Indeed, scammers have created fake profiles with stolen images, often impersonating a loved one of an actual victim of a tragedy ― but sometimes fully fabricating a story. Some even copy existing legitimate fundraisers to make a profit.
“We’ve seen phony GoFundMe campaigns,” Plaggemier echoed.
Although big crowdfunding platforms are typically able to take down fake campaigns and refund donors, you should try to ensure your donations are going to the right recipients in the first place.
“Donate to campaigns started by people you know or that have been verified by a reputable source,” Armeson suggested. “When in doubt, reach out directly to the person or organization.”
4. Fake Contractors
“We’ve seen scammers posing as Red Cross workers or contractors offering ‘urgent’ home repairs,” Plaggemier noted.
If your home was damaged in a natural disaster, be on the lookout for fake or unlicensed contractors looking to exploit your situation for personal gain. Seek adequate references and make sure they are authorized to do this work.
Before any repairs begin, you should have a written contract that clearly details all of the work tasks, prices, estimated dates, etc. Although you will likely need to make some sort of reasonable down payment, a legitimate contractor will not demand full payment upfront.
Other red flags include cash payment requirements, high-pressure sales tactics and door-to-door solicitations, particularly by someone who isn’t local to the area and has no permanent place of business.
In the aftermath of disasters, volunteers sometimes offer to help with debris removal or putting tarp on your roof. Remember that someone from a real organization will not ask you for money for supplies or their work.
5. Payment Scams
“Scammers often rely on Venmo, Cash App or Zelle to request ‘quick donations,’” Armeson said. “These might come from someone claiming to be a flood victim, a neighbor collecting funds for displaced families, or even a fake influencer encouraging their followers to give.”
She advised against using payment apps without buyer protection. Once you send the money, you can’t easily get it back in the event that you were scammed. Unless you know the person seeking donations personally, avoid quick asks for money via social media and text chains, and focus on verified fundraisers instead.
Be wary of requests for wire transfers, cash and gift cards as well.
“Disaster relief scams have become increasingly sophisticated, often launching within hours of a crisis,” Plaggemier said. “When in doubt, pause and verify as scammers rely on urgency to cloud judgment.”