The Cortez Police Department put out a notice on Oct. 10 warning people to watch out for people making fake photos of Hurricane Helene and its damage in a ploy for money or personal information.
The release said there’s an image of a girl holding a puppy “to tug at your heartstrings and make you feel like you should donate”.
But beware, because “it’s totally fake,”’ it said.
To avoid scams, look closely at photos. Often, they’ll have “weird details” or errors.
A sure way to avoid a scam is to donate to known charities through their official sites. Or, at the very least, do due diligence in ensuring where you’re sending money is legitimate: “Don’t rush into donating or clicking links right after a disaster,” the release said.
Some accredited charities include, but are not limited to:
- The American Red Cross.
- Greater Good Charities Disaster Relief.
- The Humane Society of the United States.
- Americares.
