Kupuna urged to be weary of disaster relief scams
Scammers pose as disaster relief charities after Hurricane Lala to steal money from elders. They use the urgency of the disaster to pressure victims into sending cash quickly.
How it works
Scammers contact elders by phone, email, or in person claiming to collect money for hurricane relief. They create fake charities or impersonate real nonprofits. They pressure victims to donate immediately by claiming the money is needed urgently for disaster victims.
Red flags to watch for
- Charity pressure you to donate immediately or wire money
- They won't provide a physical address or official nonprofit documentation
- They ask you to pay by wire transfer, gift card, or cash delivery
- Caller cannot answer specific questions about the charity's programs
- Unsolicited contact offering to pick up your donation in person
What to do
Do not send money to anyone who contacts you unsolicited about disaster relief. Instead, visit the official website of a charity you know (type it in directly, do not click links) or call the nonprofit's main number. You can also check a charity's legitimacy at the IRS website or state charity registration databases before giving any money.
If this reached you
Source: KHON2 Honolulu . Scam Sentinel summarizes this news report in plain language; it is a decision aid, not a guarantee.