Scott Brenner
As a software engineer, I made technology safe to use. Now I help people protect their accounts, devices, and privacy.
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⏱️ Too busy to read now? Key things to know:
► Fake charities surge after disasters to exploit emotions.
► Always go directly to a charity's official website to donate.
► Bookmark trusted charities now before the next crisis hits.
After a big disaster, most of us feel the same pull.
We see the images. We hear the stories. We want to help.
That's exactly what scammers count on.
A neighbor told me about a text she got the day after a major storm asking for donations for "emergency relief." It had a logo, a link, and a short story about families in need. She almost gave. But something felt off, so she waited.
Good thing she did. The "charity" didn't exist.
Fake charity scams surge after hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, wars, and other crises. Criminals move fast, knowing emotions are high and people don't want to slow down when help feels urgent.
These scams show up as:
🚩 Emails and texts asking for immediate donations
🚩 Messages pushing you to act "before it's too late"
🚩 Social media posts with moving photos and stories
🚩 Look-alike websites using names similar to real charities
🚩 Requests to give through gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers
Once the money is sent, it is almost impossible to recover.
How to give safely when you want to help:
✅ Use credit cards, not debit cards or gift cards.
✅ Be cautious of brand new charities created during a crisis.
✅ Search the charity name with the word "scam" or "review."
✅ Never donate through links in emails, texts, or social posts.
✅ Go directly to the charity's official website by typing it yourself.
⏱️ This week's 1-minute action:
Pick one or two charities you trust now and bookmark their real websites. When the next crisis hits, you will already know where to go.
Being generous is a good thing. Just make sure your help reaches real people, not criminals.
Wondering where else scammers could take advantage of you?
That's why I created the 15-Minute Online Safety Checkup. It helps you spot the risks that matter most and shows you the simple fixes.
👉 Get Your 15-Minute Online Safety Checkup
It's only $7 and takes about 15 minutes.
Get peace of mind in less time than it takes to drink your coffee.
Plus, you'll get a free bonus guide called 5 Phishing Red Flags Most Travelers Miss to keep you safer while traveling.
Stay safe,
OnlineSafetyZone.com
PS - If you'd like me to cover another online safety topic that's been nagging at you, just hit reply and tell me.
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