Following the aftermath of damaging storms across Indiana, Attorney General Todd Rokita warns of charity scams targeting good-hearted Hoosiers

Following the aftermath of damaging storms across Indiana, Attorney General Todd Rokita warns of charity scams targeting good-hearted Hoosiers

In the wake of recent storms and flooding across Indiana, Attorney General Todd Rokita is calling on all Hoosiers to remain vigilant as scammers look to exploit these disasters by targeting charitable and helpful individuals. Just as fraudsters prey on generosity during holiday seasons, they also take advantage of those seeking assistance or repairs after severe weather. Attorney General Rokita says Hoosiers should take proactive steps to protect themselves from deceptive schemes promising aid or services.

"Hoosiers are good-hearted people who may want to donate to help quickly rebuild hard hit communities after the recent devastating storms, but that giving nature can make them targets for scammers looking to profit from hardship," Attorney General Todd Rokita said. "We must stay one step ahead of these fraudsters by doing our homework and ensuring our resources go to legitimate recovery efforts, not into the hands of con artists."

Attorney General Rokita says his office is committed to tracking down and bringing to justice the criminals who perpetrate illegal scams while also empowering Hoosiers to avoid becoming victims.
With communities across the state facing significant damage from recent storms and flooding, Attorney General Rokita offers the following tips to safeguard against charity-related scams:

• Slow Down: A real charity will accept your donations any day of the week. Take as much time as you need to feel confident that your money is being used to help the cause you expect. Ask questions. If the request for a donation is over the phone, the caller should be able to answer critical questions.

• Make sure you are dealing with the real charitable organization. Be leery of unknown or unfamiliar organizations you receive by phone, mail, email, and/or social media.

• Always donate by credit card rather than cash or other methods. This will ensure you can access the protections available through your credit card company.

• Research the cause or the organization: Search online for the name of the organization or cause with words like "review," "scam," or "complaint." See if others have had good or bad experiences with the charity. Check out what charity watchdog groups like CharityNavigator.org, CharityWatch.org, Give.org, and Guidestar.org say about that organization.

Hoosiers who suspect they've encountered a scam should report it immediately to the Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at indianaconsumer.com or by calling 1-800-382-5516.

A headshot of Attorney General Rokita is available for download.

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