As Texans across the state donate to help communities hit by this summer's flooding, officials are urging Celina residents to give carefully.
The Texas Attorney General's office has issued a consumer alert warning donors to watch for charity scams and fraud following the recent flooding in Texas. Scammers often exploit disasters by posing as charities or using names that closely resemble legitimate organizations.
Before giving, the office recommends these steps: - Research an unfamiliar organization before donating, using charity watchdog resources such as CharityWatch and GuideStar. - Confirm that the organization is registered, and be cautious of names that sound almost identical to well-known charities. - Never wire money to an unknown party, and do not share bank account, credit card or Social Security numbers with an unsolicited caller. - Remember that scammers can fake names, phone numbers and area codes to appear local or official.