Published On: Fri, Sep 6th, 2019

Beware: Dorian Recovery is Fertile Ground for Fraud, Scammers

 

 

C. Ron Allen

Boca Raton, FL – As Americans, our first impulse when disasters strike is to open our wallets, head to the store and volunteer our time.

Now as Hurricane Dorian ravaged the Bahamas and continues its onslaught on the Carolinas, I am inundated with emails – as in past hurricanes – about efforts to pitch in and help the victims in the Bahamas. I am sure the Carolinas will soon be added to those lists.

As I watched the live images of destruction and suffering emerging from the Bahamas, I also visualized an avalanche of well-intentioned giving – whether cash, food, clothing or rescue equipment – flowing into the island nation. I am sure, in comparison, it will rise to the level of or even higher than the floodwaters.

I have been involved in disaster reporting, preparation or recovery over the past 30-plus years, whether as a news reporter, a member of the armed forces or as a member of the civic organization, Rotary International.

I caution you, if the past is prologue, and it always is, con artists or scammers will be coming out of the woodwork to cash in on the impulse of people who want to help in the wake of a disaster. Bear in mind that as natural disasters bring out the best in people, they also bring out the worst.

History will show that without proper planning or research, your goodwill can turn sour.

Be leery of posts from individuals claiming to raise relief funds, collection kettles for hurricane victims at local stores and crowdfunding websites. While they may be legitimate, such efforts may risk lives, complicate access by professional efforts and potentially divert donations. Sad to say but far too often, such solicitations are fraudulent.

Surprisingly to me, since many people get their news from Facebook these days, they will likely receive requests for donations or fundraisers such as crowdfunding campaigns. Again, I caution you, if the fundraiser is not associated with an established charity, reconsider donating.

Donating to experienced disaster relief organizations is your best bet to provide emergency help for those impacted by hurricanes. You can give through a handful of known charitable organizations, some of which have a Palm Beach County-area presence.

Well-known and reputable organizations such as the Rotary International, Cox Media Group (CMG) Miami and the Grand Celebration Cruise Line (Bahamas Paradise) are assisting hurricane victims in the Bahamas.

Local Rotarians are collecting supplies to send to their counterparts to be distributed in the areas impacted. There are five Rotary clubs on Grand Bahama island, which is part of Rotary District 6990.

Rotary International’s foundation has a Donor Advised Fund account for District 7680 disaster relief #574 where donors can specify where the monies are spent by island or country or Rotary District.  Each Rotary District has its own fund, which the Rotarians will use at their discretion.

The Foundation also has a Disaster Fund, which will provide disaster grants up to $25,000. Donors, however, cannot designate where their donation will be spent.

For more information on the Rotary International’s efforts, visit https://rotary6990.org/bahamas-hurricane-dorian-relief/ or

https://7020.org/Stories/hurricane-dorian-rotary-district-7020-summary-report-2?fbclid=IwAR2dQC76xwSy3vWkVgeXop7qoOpyBBOW-MREpmw8mO5FpgjETKjII9Zuw9Ak

Broward County-based radio station, WHQT Hot 105.1 FM, which is heard in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami Dade and the Bahamas, had partnered with Winn-Dixie supermarkets in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties to collect donations.

And the Deerfield Beach-based Bahamas Paradise cruise is accepting monetary donations online through its partner, Mission Resolve, and donated supplies at its Riviera Beach warehouse.

The cruise line also sent a ship filled with food, water and other supplies, as well as volunteers and first responders to Freeport and will bring evacuees to Florida, the company said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

C. Ron Allen can be reached at crallen@Delraybeachtribune.com or 561-665-0151.

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