CEN partner Faith-Based Information Sharing and Analysis Organization filed this very timely important report:
With Hurricane Ian making landfall on the Florida coast as a major hurricane, there is expected to be weeks, and likely months, of recovery efforts ahead for individuals and organizations. Based on historical precedent, the damage will be extensive. And for all the help that will come out as part of the recovery, there will also come those looking to exploit the disaster and both those who have been most impacted and those seeking to help.
These scams are so prevalent that many groups have published warnings to include:
- SANS OUCH! Newsletter: Charity & Disaster Scams
- FEMA: Survivors Beware! Scams, Price-Gouging Flourish After Disasters
- Federal Communications Commission: After Storms, Watch Out for Scams
Below are some things you can do to avoid being the victim of a disaster scam when donating and providing support in the aftermath of a disaster.
- Always verify a charity's legitimacy through its official website.
- Verify information in social media posts.
- If contacted by phone, verify phone number before calling back.
- Do not open attachments or click on links.
The Faith-Based Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (FB-ISAO) released a security advisory on the topic of disaster scams. The advisory was distributed to members. Membership information is available here.
Mayya Saab
FB-ISAO
It is unfortunate that so many want to take advantage of a disaster and make it worse. Some would blame entitlement, some would blame people trying to survive and eak out a living amongst the rich and well to do. The Bible shares that it is simply a fallen world in which we are light to the darkness. The bible also tell us to be wise (shrewd) as a serpent and innocent as a dove. As an avid outdoorsman, this makes sense. The Bible is not telling us to be a serpent, it is saying that the serpents (snakes) have to be constantly on the lookout as their body shape has a disbursement of vital organs all through it and very little "armor" along the body. It has to be constantly looking for a threat that is not intended, like a large animal walking on the path that is not trying to kill it, but will step on it unintentionally and mortally wound it. Looters do not necessarily know the specific home of whom they are stealing from, but are nonetheless a threat to our well being. Pray for your home to not be seen by them as they will favor another place over yours! It is under His wings that we find refuge.
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