Beware of Haiti Earthquake Relief Scams

The FBI reminds Internet users who receive emails or other internet solicitation to donate money in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti to apply a critical eye and do your due diligence before responding to those requests.

In the past, tragedies and other natural disasters have prompted people with criminal intent to solicit contributions.  For this reason, before making a donation of any kind, My Tech Team suggests adhering to certain guidelines, including the following:

1. Do not respond to any unsolicited incoming emails, including clicking links contained within messages.
2. Be skeptical of people representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.
3. Verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations by utilizing various internet-based resources that may assist in confirming the group’s existence and its nonprofit status
4. Be cautions of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files.  These files may contain viruses and other malware.
5. If you choose to make contributions, make them to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.  This ensures contributions are received and used for the intended purposes.
6. Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions.

If you or anyone you know have received any e-mails of this nature, or are a victim of this or similar incidents, notify the IC3 at www.ic3.gov

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