Scammers targeting Hurricane Helene relief efforts | News [Video]

VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind. (WEVV) — As communities rally to support those affected by Hurricane Helene, officials are urging caution when making donations to relief efforts. Scammers are exploiting the disaster, using advanced tactics to deceive well-meaning donors.

Vanderburgh County Sheriff Noah Robinson spoke with 44News about the growing risk of donation scams tied to Hurricane Helene relief. He highlighted an upsetting trend—scammers using AI-generated images and emotional stories to manipulate potential donors.

“There’s a lot of manipulative imagery out there, and there are a lot of scams out there,” Sheriff Robinson said. “FEMA is reporting on the proliferation of internet scams tied directly to Florida hurricane relief.”

Robinson emphasized the importance of donating only through trusted organizations, such as the Red Cross or FEMA. He advised people to avoid clicking on random links sent via email or text message, as these are common entry points for fraud.

“We like to …