Beware Of Scams In The Wake Of Hurricane Matthew

Shared from our friends at SC Dept of Consumer Affairs…

Shred360 and the SC Dept of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) are advising consumers to be on the lookout for scams in the weeks following Hurricane Matthew.

Avoid becoming a victim of charity scams with these tips:

• Seek out a charity that needs your support. Be cautious of groups that approach you. Get more information on a particular charity by visiting the SC Secretary of State’s Office at www.sos.sc.gov to search on a particular charity or by calling 1-800-CHARITI (242-7484).
• Donate to well-known charities. Watch out for charities that have sprung up overnight. They may mean well, but lack the infrastructure to provide assistance. Do not assume a charity is legitimate based on its name. Some phony charities use names that sound or look like those of respected, legitimate organizations.
• Know where the money is going. Ask what percentage of your contribution goes to the charitable cause. Find out their mission and history. Do not be afraid to ask for details in writing.
• Do not send or give cash. For security and tax record purposes, contribute by check or credit card. Write the official name of the charity on the check.

Protect yourself from fraudulent contractors:

• Do your research. If someone shows up at your door offering contractor services, be wary. Get references from your friends, neighbors or co-workers, as well as multiple bids on the cost of the project.
• Verify information. Check the contractor’s ID with full name, business location and phone number, and ask to see the vendor’s business license/permit from the state, county and/or city.
• Do not pay in full up front. Never pay more than  half of the cost of the repairs up front. Also, consider paying with a credit card or check made out to the business rather than cash.

Keep the following tips in mind when fielding emails, texts, and phone calls:

• Be wary of emails, texts and pop-ups you did not solicit. Do not reply to requests asking for personal or financial information, click on, or paste links into your browser. Do not call a phone number contained in the message.
• Follow up. Verify the validity of the communication by contacting the organization directly, with contact information that you have found in the phone book or by going to the company’s website.
• Use antivirus or anti-spyware software and a firewall. Make sure to update them regularly. Phishing emails may contain software that can harm your computer or track your activities on the internet.

Consumers are encouraged to report scams by either calling 844-TELL-DCA (835-5322) or visiting www.consumer.sc.gov and clicking REPORT A SCAM. For more info on disasters, see SCDCA’s guide to Recovering from a Disaster and Beware of Disaster Scams.