In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Serving Central and South Alabama is urging consumers to exercise caution when contributing to relief efforts.

With scammers quick to exploit the generosity of well-meaning individuals, BBB is providing tips to ensure donations reach legitimate organizations and not fraudulent campaigns.

During times of crisis, scammers often create fake websites, social media appeals and crowdfunding pages to deceive those eager to help. These fraudulent schemes use emotional tactics to prompt quick donations and may impersonate well-known charities or pose as individuals in need.

To protect donors, the BBB has issued key recommendations for safe giving:

1. Verify the charity: Before donating, ensure the organization is legitimate. Trusted sites like the BBB Wise Giving Alliance (www.give.org), Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org) and FEMA's Volunteer and Donate page (www.fema.gov) offer information on reputable charities.
2. Donate directly: Avoid unsolicited requests for donations via email or social media. Visit the charity's official website to make contributions.
3. Use credit cards: Donating via credit card offers an additional layer of fraud protection. Avoid using payment apps like Venmo or CashApp and never send cash.

State-specific options for donations include:

Florida Disaster Fund: Aids communities across Florida. Visit www.volunteerflorida.org.

North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund: Administered by United Way of North Carolina. Visit www.unitedwaync.org.

Feeding the Carolinas: Provides food assistance to those impacted in South Carolina. Visit www.feedingthecarolinas.org.

East Tennessee Foundation: Supports disaster recovery efforts in Tennessee. Visit www.easttennesseefoundation.org.

BBB encourages individuals to report any suspicious charity activity to the BBB Scam Tracker and notify local authorities.

For more information on safe donation practices, visit www.bbb.org or contact Carl Bates, CEO of BBB Central and South Alabama, at cbates@csal.bbb.org. For inquiries in the Mobile, Baldwin or Montgomery areas, reach out to Monde Donaldson, Vice President of BBB Education Foundation, at mdonaldson@csal.bbb.org.