U. S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Ryan K. Buchanan warns of potential hurricane relief fraud following Hurricane Helene’s impact on September 26, 2024. Scammers target those seeking to aid disaster victims through deceptive emails, social media, and fake websites. To avoid falling victim to charity scams, individuals should donate directly to reputable organizations, avoid pressure tactics, and verify the legitimacy of charitable links. It is recommended not to respond to unsolicited communications, make cash donations, or click on suspicious attachments. Legitimate charities typically do not solicit funds through money transfer services and their websites usually end in “. org,” not “. com. ” The National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) urges the public to report any fraudulent activity related to disaster relief. Complaints can be filed online at www. justice. gov/DisasterComplaintForm or by calling the NCDF hotline at (866) 720-5721. For more information, contact the U. S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN. PressEmails@usdoj. gov or (404) 581-6016, or visit http://www. justice. gov/usao-ndga.