NY Attorney General warns New Yorkers to be cautious in charitable giving for Caribbean hurricane relief

NEW YORK, CMC – New York Attorney General Letitia James has warned New Yorkers to be cautious in charitable giving for Caribbean hurricane relief amid concerns about scams.

James urged New Yorkers on Friday to be careful in supporting relief efforts in response to the devastating effects of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and across some Caribbean islands.

She said the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) warns New Yorkers to be “wary of sham charities attempting to take advantage of their concern” and encourages everyone to ensure they are donating to legitimate charitable efforts and organizations.

“My heart breaks for the victims of Hurricane Melissa, and I thank the brave first responders who have jumped into action to provide aid, “she said.

“As New Yorkers seek to support relief efforts, I urge them to be careful of sham charities that prey on generosity and make sure they are giving to trustworthy organizations and groups.

“I encourage anyone who experiences any issues when donating to contact my office,” she added.

James warned that fraudulent organisations can try to take advantage of New Yorkers’ good intentions, especially following natural disasters.

“Given the significant impact of Hurricane Melissa across the Caribbean, it is essential for New Yorkers to be informed as they seek to help those in need. Find out who is soliciting. If you receive a solicitation by email, find out who is behind that email address. Contact the charity whose name is in the email or visit its website to find out if the email is really from the charity,” she urged.

“Do not give personal information or your credit card number in response to an email solicitation unless you have checked out the charity. Before giving through social media or fundraising sites, research the identity of the organizer of the fundraising efforts and ask the same questions you would of a charity,” James added.

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