New York Attorney General Letitia James has issued a warning to residents about the potential for fraudulent charities in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which recently caused significant damage in Jamaica and other Caribbean islands. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is urging New Yorkers to verify the legitimacy of organizations before making donations to relief efforts.
“My heart breaks for the victims of Hurricane Melissa, and I thank the brave first responders who have jumped into action to provide aid,” said Attorney General James. “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.”
The OAG has provided several recommendations for safe charitable giving. Residents are advised to confirm the identity of email solicitors by contacting or visiting the official website of any charity mentioned in a solicitation message. Donors should avoid sharing personal or financial information unless they have verified the charity’s authenticity.
For those considering contributions through social media or fundraising platforms, officials recommend researching campaign organizers thoroughly and only donating to campaigns managed by people they know personally. They also suggest reviewing platform policies regarding fees and ensuring that any use of a charity’s name or logo is authorized.
New Yorkers are encouraged to donate only to familiar organizations and review available financial reports before contributing. Most charities soliciting donations from New Yorkers must register with OAG’s Charities Bureau, where their financial reports can be accessed online.
Potential donors should inquire about how their contributions will be used, including what services will be supported and what percentage of funds go toward administrative costs versus direct relief work. Newly formed organizations should be scrutinized closely since some may lack experience or infrastructure, while others could be scams.
Additional advice includes confirming that text-based donation methods are authorized by the charity itself, avoiding cash donations in favor of checks payable directly to recognized organizations or secure online payments, and exercising caution when providing personal information over phone, text message, or internet channels.
Anyone suspecting an organization is misrepresenting its activities or operating a scam is urged to file a complaint with the Charities Bureau or call 212-416-8401.
