Unfortunately, floods and other disasters attract scam artists. While donating your time, goods and money is a generous act, make sure your good will isn’t lining the pockets of the unscrupulous.
The Department of Justice and the FBI have guidelines for donating responsibly. They include:
- Do not respond to unsolicited emails
- Beware of organizations with copycat names
- Make donations directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make them on your behalf, and
- Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone soliciting donations.
FEMA also has tips for donating and volunteering responsibly. They suggest donating through trusted organizations. To help guide you, the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) website lists both national and state voluntary organizations.
If you do encounter fraudulent activity in recovery efforts, call the National Centre Disaster Fraud toll-free hotline at 866-720-5721.
In addition to fraudulent activity, unsolicited volunteers and donated goods can sometimes overwhelm communities in crisis. FEMA recommends affiliating with an existing non-profit organization before you go to a disaster area and to donate cash instead of goods when possible.
One way to alleviate flood damage and reduce your reliance on the goodwill of others is to install FEMA compliant flood vents. Our flood vents help prevent structural damage by allowing flood water to flow through your home. Your basement will require cleaning and possibly repairs, but it will cost much less than having to repair structural damage or build a new home.
To learn more about our made-in-the-U.S.A flood vents, contact us.
