Special Report: Hurricane Katrina Charity Scams
Jim Kouri, CPP
September 02, 2005
[Information contained herein is provided by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the National Association of Chiefs of Police.]
The loss of life and destruction of property wrought by Hurricane Katrina has been utterly devastating. Unfortunately, now there is another aftereffect to worry about: online criminals are already taking advantage of generous individuals who are looking to donate online to disaster relief efforts. The FBI is currently investigating hundreds of Web sites posing as online charities to lure in potential donors and obtain their financial information. In addition, there are reports of phony e-mails from fake charities being used to spread worms and viruses.
In an effort to help prevent online exploitation of Hurricane Katrina and help ensure that donations get to the people in need, The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), offers the following tips to help consumers avoid becoming a victim of an online relief scam or security attack.
Do not respond to any unsolicited SPAM/incoming e-mails about the
hurricane
Be skeptical of individuals claiming to be surviving victims asking for
money to be placed in bank accounts
To ensure that contributions to US-based nonprofit organizations are
used for intended purposes, go directly to the Web sites of recognized
charities and aid organizations, as opposed to following a link to
another site
Verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations by consulting trusted
Internet-based resources (such as the Network for Good and the Federal
Emergency Management Agency) which may assist in confirming the
existence of the organization as well as its nonprofit status
Don't open e-mail attachments that claim to contain pictures of
disaster areas, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments
from known senders.
In addition, the National Association of Chiefs of Police warns citizens to beware of phony charity telemarketers claiming to represent police or firefighter organizations. These fraudulent telephone representatives of organization such as The United Fire Marshals Association, the National Law Enforcement Association, and others are attempting to prey upon the generosity of Americans during this catastrophe in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.
Sources: Margaret Mathis, NCSA, Jim Gordon, NACOP
The loss of life and destruction of property wrought by Hurricane Katrina has been utterly devastating. Unfortunately, now there is another aftereffect to worry about: online criminals are already taking advantage of generous individuals who are looking to donate online to disaster relief efforts. The FBI is currently investigating hundreds of Web sites posing as online charities to lure in potential donors and obtain their financial information. In addition, there are reports of phony e-mails from fake charities being used to spread worms and viruses.
In an effort to help prevent online exploitation of Hurricane Katrina and help ensure that donations get to the people in need, The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), offers the following tips to help consumers avoid becoming a victim of an online relief scam or security attack.
Do not respond to any unsolicited SPAM/incoming e-mails about the
hurricane
Be skeptical of individuals claiming to be surviving victims asking for
money to be placed in bank accounts
To ensure that contributions to US-based nonprofit organizations are
used for intended purposes, go directly to the Web sites of recognized
charities and aid organizations, as opposed to following a link to
another site
Verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations by consulting trusted
Internet-based resources (such as the Network for Good and the Federal
Emergency Management Agency) which may assist in confirming the
existence of the organization as well as its nonprofit status
Don't open e-mail attachments that claim to contain pictures of
disaster areas, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments
from known senders.
In addition, the National Association of Chiefs of Police warns citizens to beware of phony charity telemarketers claiming to represent police or firefighter organizations. These fraudulent telephone representatives of organization such as The United Fire Marshals Association, the National Law Enforcement Association, and others are attempting to prey upon the generosity of Americans during this catastrophe in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.
Sources: Margaret Mathis, NCSA, Jim Gordon, NACOP
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