Raise awareness against disaster-related charity scams in Vietnam

Following recent floods and landslides in the North, there have been many reports of scammers posing as charities or government agencies.

Online scams are on the rise, preying on people's psychology and emotions when disasters strike. (Source: Getty)

Scams targeting disaster victims and philanthropists are becoming alarmingly common. It is important to be aware of these threats to protect yourself and help prevent them.

Following recent floods and landslides, there have been numerous reports of scams involving perpetrators posing as charities or government agencies. For example, some have set up websites and Facebook pages impersonating government agencies. Others have impersonated charities to solicit donations for disaster relief.

These impersonations often seem very convincing, taking advantage of appeals, emotional appeals, and compassion for people and damage in disaster areas.

If you take the time to learn, it is easy to identify common scams.

The first and most obvious is the fake charity trick. Scammers set up fake charity websites or contact individuals directly to solicit donations, taking advantage of people’s sense of urgency and emotional appeal.

The second approach is more methodical and bold. Scammers impersonate government officials or agencies, offering aid or asking for personal information to process relief payments. These scams can take place over the phone, via email or via SMS.

To raise awareness and consciousness to solve the above problem, some measures can be applied.

First, if you suspect you have been targeted or have become a victim of a scam, report it to the appropriate authorities immediately. In addition to contacting your local police, notify your bank or financial institution if you have provided any financial information.

Second, get into the habit of verifying the source and timing of your donations, no matter how emotional or compassionate you are. Always verify the legitimacy of any charity or organization before transferring money or donations.

Use official websites and trusted sources. Be wary of sudden requests for donations, especially those that pressure you to act quickly, because of time, because of urgency.

Additionally , it is important to educate yourself and others. Stay informed about the latest scams and tactics and educate those around you. Sharing useful knowledge is a powerful tool in the fight against cybercrime.

Finally, it is important to develop the habit of helping others at the right time, in the right place, at the right time. Compassion must be combined with wisdom to be effective. Be a regular donor when you have the opportunity, instead of waiting until disaster strikes.

Taking the time to research and align yourself with a legitimate charity (or a few charities) that fit your principles, abilities, and circumstances and donating accordingly is a solution worth considering.

Many people believe that the best thing people can donate is their time and effort. Although some charities may not have the financial strength, wealth, or are not perfect in distributing financial support to those in need, their volunteers' efforts to directly reach out to victims, those who are isolated or alone, and to give them love and time to share with them are more important.

Natural disasters bring unexpected challenges and hardships to communities. This also creates opportunities for criminals to strike.

By staying vigilant, verifying sources, and educating ourselves and others, we can significantly reduce our risk of falling victim to insidious scams.

Together, we can create a safer digital environment and support those who really need help during difficult times and get their lives back on track.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nang-cao-canh-giac-chong-lai-cac-vu-lua-dao-tu-thien-lien-quan-den-tham-hoa-o-viet-nam-286406.html