Hurricane Scammers Gather Victim Data Months Before Storms Hit

Hurricane-season scammers wake up with coffee in one hand and a spreadsheet in the other. That sheet might hold names, ages, addresses, phone numbers, and family details. A fraudster could buy this data or pull it from people-search sites and piece together bits of information from public sources. This means hurricane charity scams can begin before a storm even hits. By the time a hurricane dominates the news, a criminal may already know who will respond to a donation pitch.

September marks National Preparedness Month, with this year's theme being "Americans Stand Ready." The Federal Emergency Management Agency urges citizens to build an emergency plan and stock a kit while scammers look for ways to turn disaster into a payday.

Charity fraudsters do not wait for a disaster to start hunting for targets. Data brokers and marketers have spent years gathering information on where people live, what they buy, and how they respond to solicitations. One Justice Department case highlights just how dangerous this kind of targeting can become. Epsilon Data Management used transactional data and a database covering 100 million U.S. households to identify "responsive buyers." Prosecutors stated that two executives, Robert Reger and David Lytle, spent about a decade knowingly selling targeted lists to fraudsters.

One client utilized those lists to defraud more than 218,000 people out of over $23.7 million. More than 12,000 victims got hit more than 20 times. A judge sentenced Reger to 10 years in prison and Lytle to four years. Epsilon also paid $150 million in penalties and victim compensation, with $122 million returned to more than 200,000 victims. The Epsilon prosecution focused on mass-mailing fraud rather than hurricane charity scams. Still, it shows how personal data and behavioral signals can help fraudsters choose targets before a pitch lands.

Separate FBI data reveals the cost of charity fraud. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center recorded 662 charity complaints and $7,907,609 in reported losses in 2025.

A scammer does not need a history of bad donations to target you. Fraudsters can reach people through purchased lists, public records, robocalls, and other marketing channels. James Trankle ran three fake charities, including the "Disabled and Paralyzed Veterans Fund," the "National Breast Cancer Awareness Fund" and the "Children's Leukemia of America Fund." He mailed solicitations to thousands of people and collected more than 1,600 personal checks. Then he used donor banking information to create counterfeit checks. Many victims were older adults. A judge sentenced him to five years in prison.

Travis Peterson ran a six-year scheme using millions of robocalls and other outreach to solicit donations for sham veterans' charities. Prosecutors said he often targeted senior citizens. A judge sentenced him to 41 months in prison and ordered him to pay $541,032.10 in restitution. These cases show why an unexpected charity pitch deserves a closer look, especially when the caller already knows personal details about you.

Natural disasters create urgency and confusion while bringing out people's desire to help. Scammers know that.

Hurricane Helene has left communities in disarray, but a new threat looms alongside the physical damage. FEMA issued an urgent alert regarding identity theft. Thieves plan to steal names, addresses, and Social Security numbers specifically to apply for federal assistance in someone else's name. Residents must stay sharp for impostors pretending to be inspectors or disaster relief workers knocking at their doors.

The Federal Trade Commission has sounded a similar alarm about fake charities taking advantage of weather emergencies. Scammers create websites that look tied to the disaster or imitate real charity names to trick vulnerable people into giving money they do not have. They move fast, exploiting the confusion and fear in the air immediately after a storm hits.

We are currently deep inside the Atlantic hurricane season, which does not end until November 30. NOAA marks September 10 as the climatological peak of this active period. That timing places National Preparedness Month right in the thick of the busiest part of the year. If you want to see how much private information might already be exposed online, a free scan can reveal what broker and people-search sites have collected on you. You can get that check at Cyberguy.com/FreeScan to find out if your data is already out there on the web.

How do you stay generous while avoiding hurricane charity scams? The answer lies in slowing down long enough to verify who wants your money before you send a single dollar. You must take specific steps to protect yourself right now.

First, verify the charity independently. Do not trust links that appear in unexpected texts or emails. Instead, go directly to the official website of the organization. Look up the group on Charity Navigator, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance at Give.org, CharityWatch, or the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search before you commit funds.

Second, be careful with payment methods. The FTC warns that scammers may insist on cash, gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps, or cryptocurrency. These options leave no paper trail and offer zero protection. If you donate, use a credit card or write a check. A credit card gives you more security and creates a clear record of the transaction.

Third, slow down when someone pushes urgency. A demand to donate immediately should make you stop and verify the organization before sending money. Legitimate charities will give you time to research them and decide whether you want to contribute. If they pressure you, walk away.

Fourth, watch for copycat charity names and websites. Scammers often use names that sound like established charities or web addresses that differ by only a few characters. Before donating, check the spelling of the name carefully and ensure you are on the official site. One missing letter can change everything.

Fifth, do not trust donation links in texts, emails, or social media posts. A request can look convincing even when it comes from a compromised account or impersonates a real charity. Do not assume a fundraiser is legitimate just because a friend shared it. Go directly to the charity's official website instead of clicking the link provided. Use strong antivirus software to help protect you from malicious links, phishing sites, and malware that may hide behind fraudulent donation requests.

Sixth, check your statement after you donate. Review your credit card or bank statement immediately following a contribution. Confirm that you were charged only the amount you approved. Check that you were not signed up for recurring donations you did not intend to make. Keep the receipt or confirmation email for your records.

Seventh, report suspicious charity requests. If something feels wrong, file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or the FBI at ic3.gov. You can also call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360 for assistance. Do not ignore these signs of fraud.

Eighth, reduce the personal data scammers can use. Verifying every charity request helps, but your information may already be available through data brokers and people-search sites. Removing that data makes it harder for criminals to build a detailed profile around you. It stops them from using personal details to make their pitch seem believable.

One option is to use a personal data removal service. These companies contact data brokers and people-search sites on your behalf to scrub your information. This reduces how much of your life is publicly available online. They may continue monitoring for data that reappears over time, keeping you safer in the long run.

You can file removal requests yourself, but the process often demands patience and repeated follow-up calls. Instead of chasing data brokers alone, check out my top picks for data removal services at Cyberguy.com to get a free scan. This scan reveals if your personal information is already floating around the web.

Hurricane charity scams thrive because disasters create urgency while stolen data makes scam pitches seem believable. The Epsilon case proves how fraudsters use targeted consumer lists to strike. Meanwhile, the Trankle and Peterson cases show how fake charities exploit people who simply want to help those in need. FEMA and the FTC continue to warn that scammers take advantage of both disasters and stolen personal information.

Before you donate, verify the organization independently. Slow down when someone pressures you for an immediate gift. Use a payment method that gives you better protection against fraud. Reducing the amount of personal information available through data brokers can also make it harder for scammers to build a detailed profile around you. You cannot stop hurricane season, but you can make yourself a harder target.

Have you ever received a disaster-relief donation request that made you suspicious? Write to us at Cyberguy.com and let us know your story. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report to get the best tech tips delivered straight to your inbox. You will receive urgent security alerts and exclusive deals right away. For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com. Millions of viewers watch CyberGuy on TV daily because they trust this advice. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join today. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP