Donation Scams During Hurricane Melissa

NBC10 Responds recently aired a segment on how to find a reputable charity, featuring guidance from Charity Navigator. Reporter Valeria Aponte-Feliciano highlighted the steps donors should take to verify a charity’s trustworthiness—starting with checking the organization’s tax ID (EIN), confirming its registration through the IRS website, and reviewing state-level listings through the Department of State or Consumer Affairs.

The segment also covered common red flags, including typos in appeals, newly created social media accounts following a disaster, and the growing threat of AI-generated scams that imitate real charities. Charity Navigator emphasized the importance of caution with crowdfunding and urged donors to only give to individuals they personally know and trust. These practices help ensure safe, confident giving — especially during high-volume disaster-relief moments.