Donating Money After A Disaster

Following the catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria on February 6, 2023, many residents have questioned how they can help. After a disaster, you can get involved and help those who were affected by donating to trusted organizations that help survivors. Donating money is a great way to help because it allows flexibility for charities to provide the necessary resources and services to those in need. Unfortunately, there are many scams that aim to take advantage of people who want to help. These donation scams are becoming increasingly common after disasters and can be difficult to identify, so to ensure your donation will actually help the affected community, follow these tips:

1. Research - When donating money, the most important thing to do is research the organization or cause that you are donating to. Make sure the organization is reputable and that it is using the money responsibly. Check the organization’s website for information about how the money will be spent and their experience dealing with disasters.

2. Be Aware - Scams may come in different forms including social media posts, emails, texts, phone calls, or new webpages prompting you to provide personal or financial information. Remember to do your research, make sure the organization is legitimate, and don’t click on any suspicious links.

3. Protect Yourself - Be wary of anyone asking for personal or financial information such as credit card numbers or bank account information. Legitimate charities will not ask for this type of information.

4. No Pressure - Watch out for any organization trying to pressure you into donating, as it is likely a scam. Legitimate charities may ask for donations, but they will not pressure people into donating and will respect your decision if you don’t want to donate.