Whether you are preparing for an impending natural disaster or are beginning to recover from one, thinking about protecting yourself against fraud is probably not at the top of your list. However, scammers are likely to find any route possible to get to you – be it through email, text, phone or in-person contact.

Criminals will exploit any vulnerability to commit theft and play on emotional situations to lower a victim’s defense. It is critical to stay alert to tell-tale signs of fraud, especially in times of crisis. Whether you are the one suffering from a natural disaster or one trying to donate to help, it is worth taking the time to pause and consider the logic of requests for funds or personal information before taking action.

For those who are experiencing crisis, some key rules of thumb to remember include:

  • If you live in an affected area, thieves may want to mimic your identity to apply for and receive your intended aid. Do not share your personal information or social security number with strangers.
  • Legitimate organizations or agencies will never ask you to first remit any sort of payment before you can receive aid.
  • If the power is out and you are forced to pay for repairs in cash, scammers are likely to insist on being paid in advance. Insist on paying only once the work is complete.

“In the preparation and aftermath of a major natural disaster – the opportunity for fraud exists from multiple angles," said Joshua Del Valle, PNC Bank’s Head of Enterprise Fraud.

While fraud can occur in many ways, two of the most common scams related to natural disasters include phishing attacks and counterfeit charities.

Potential Phishing Attacks

Cyber criminals take advantage of consumer vulnerability during natural disasters. They will most likely use recent events, such as tornadoes or hurricanes, as a catalyst to try to trick you. The best defense with suspicious messages is: don’t engage, don’t provide information and don’t click any links. And verify the legitimacy of a person, organization or website independently, not using any information provided by the stranger contacting you.  

“Phishing presents the fastest route to the victim's money," said Del Valle. “Out of several thousand phishing attempts, it only takes a handful of successful bites for a fraudster to turn a profit."

For example, cyber criminals could compose an email message tempting you to click on a link that contains “urgent news about evacuation" or send a text message asking you to provide personal or banking information to donate to relief efforts. PNC offers tips to help you learn how to identify a phishing attempt.

Counterfeit Charities

In addition to phishing scams, fictitious charities pop up during and after natural disasters, soliciting all types of donations such as money, medications, or other goods, including food or power generators. Charity fraud schemes seek donations for organizations that do little or no work—only to benefit the fake charity's creator, not those in need. While charity-related scams can happen at any time, they are especially prevalent after high-profile disasters. “Natural disasters can bring out the best and the worst in people. Those who want to aid in recovery are at risk of being exploited by fraudsters seeking to profit from misfortune, so it's important to take steps to protect yourself," said Del Valle.

How can you help to protect yourself while donating to provide aid to others? Websites such as GuideStar.org or CharityNavigator.org help donors determine whether their relief funds are going to a legitimate charity. If the organization is not found on one of these websites, it may be a scam.

To help avoid charity fraud, follow these tips:

  • Beware of door-to-door solicitors. Most charities do not do this. Do not be fooled by imposters wearing official-looking clothes or carrying badges. Instead, make donations directly to the charity's website.
  • Do not respond to emails, text messages or social media posts asking for donations. It is better to contact the charity directly through its official website or phone number.
  • Beware of telemarketers. Avoid pushy telemarketers who refuse to answer questions or demand a credit card number. Some telemarketers will keep the majority of donations for themselves.
  • Be wary of giving to crowdfunding sites. While these sites contain many worthy causes, they do not necessarily screen users for authenticity. Ensure you are donating to a legitimate source.
  • Protect your personal information. Do not give out credit card or bank account numbers to an unknown source who contacts you. Do not transmit personal information by email or text message.

If you feel you may have been defrauded, contact your bank immediately. The more time scammers have, the more damage they can do, so be sure to act quickly – lock accounts and report as soon as you can.

For more information on how to protect yourself and your finances, please visit PNC’s Security & Privacy Center.