Do not be a victim of an Scam!

Each year, Americans lose tens of millions of dollars to fraudulent charities and disaster relief scams, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). These scams don’t just steal money from generous people — they exploit moments of crisis, diverting funds away from those who truly need help, and often expose victims to identity theft in the process.

Scammers frequently take advantage of natural disasters, humanitarian crises, or high-profile tragedies by creating fake charities or impersonating legitimate ones. Their goal is simple: pressure people to give quickly, before they have time to verify where their money is going.

 FBI Anti-Scam Tips for Donating Safely

The FBI recommends the following steps to protect yourself and your loved ones:

• Only donate to established charities you trust. If the organization is unfamiliar, research it before giving.

• Watch for copycat names that sound similar to well-known charities.

• Be cautious of newly created charities tied to major disasters or headlines.

• Use the Federal Trade Commission to review a charity’s track record at consumer.ftc.gov.

• Donate via check or credit card. Avoid cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.

• Practice good cyber hygiene:

•Never click links or open attachments from unfamiliar senders.

•Don’t respond to unsolicited texts, calls, or emails asking for donations.

•Look for “.org” at the end of a charity’s website URL (though this alone is not proof).

What To Do If You Experience Charity Fraud

If you believe you’ve been targeted or victimized:

• Contact your bank immediately. Financial institutions are experienced with fraud and may help stop further losses.

• Report the scam to the FBI’s IC3 at ic3.gov.

• Report disaster-related scams to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (U.S. Department of Justice).

File reports with:

• The Federal Trade Commission

• Local law enforcement

• Your state’s Attorney General

• The Better Business Bureau

• Notify credit bureaus if personal information was shared. They can place fraud alerts on your credit reports.

Most importantly: don’t be silenced by shame. Sharing your experience helps protect others and brings scammers to justice.

With awareness and careful action, your donation can be the meaningful, positive experience you intended — helping real people instead of funding criminal activity.

Silver Streak Senior Services is launching soon as a trusted platform to help seniors and caregivers stay informed, avoid scams, and make confident decisions before a crisis occurs.