Ohio Department of Commerce Warns Donors to Do Research When Supporting Hurricane Melissa Relief Efforts

COLUMBUS, Ohio - As Ohioans mobilize to support relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Melissa's devastation in Jamaica and the Caribbean, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions is urging donors to give wisely, ensuring their contributions reach those in need and not bad actors looking to take advantage.

WalletHub recently named Ohio the 16^th most-giving state in the country with charitable contributions; however, criminals and fraudsters may seek to capitalize on that generosity to line their own pockets.

Division Superintendent Kevin Allard says charities should always be vetted to ensure funds actually reach legitimate relief efforts since these events unfortunately create opportunities for fraudulent actors to exploit donor goodwill through fake charities and relief campaigns.

"Natural disaster responses always bring out the best in people who want to help, but sadly, these situations are often times exploited by fraudsters looking to take advantage of others' generosity for their own personal benefit," Allard said. "Before you contribute to a cause, it is critical to verify where your donations are going to ensure they get to the people and organizations who really need them."

The scope of the problem is significant. In 2024, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 4,500 complaints reporting approximately $96 million in losses involving fraudulent charities, crowdfunding accounts, and disaster relief campaigns. Many of these schemes originate as imposter scams, where a fraudster pretends to represent a trusted organization, tricking well-meaning donors into sending money to them instead of those truly in need. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in the first half of this year alone, reports of imposter scams in Ohio increased by nearly 47% compared to the same period in 2024.

The FTC also offers important tips that donors should follow to ensure their donation is used appropriately. These tips include:

• Donate to Trusted Charities: Only donate to charities with a proven track record in handling disaster relief. Individuals should be cautious of unsolicited requests for donations.
• Conduct Research: Always verify an organization's charitable reputation by conducting an online search, and consider using resources like the BBB's Wise Giving Alliance or Charity Watch.
• Crowdfunding Caution: Exercise caution when donating to individuals on crowdfunding sites. If you do, make sure it's someone you personally know and trust.
• Secure Payment Methods: Avoid making donations via cash, gift cards, wiring money, services such as Venmo, or cryptocurrency. By making donations via credit cards, Ohioans can stay better protected from fraud.
• Verify Text Donations: Before making a donation via text, be sure to confirm the charity's number on its website to ensure it is valid.

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Robert Rutkowski (rut-KOW-skee), Deputy Superintendent, Division of Financial Institutions, Ohio Department of Commerce
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About the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions
The Division of Financial Institutions is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce. The department is Ohio's chief regulatory agency, focused on promoting prosperity and protecting what matters most to Ohioans. We ensure businesses follow the laws that help them create jobs and keep Ohioans safe. To learn more about what we do, visit our website at https://www.com.ohio.gov.