There are many ways to help those impacted in Tennessee, North Carolina, and other parts of south-east by Hurricane Helene. One important way is to share valid information that you have researched and cross checked and to alert friends and family that even in the face of such incredible community spirit and human kindness that there is price gouging occurring and sadly scammers trying to take advantage of people. Tennessee Attorney General Skrmetti explained that, "While most Tennesseans are showing the best of the Volunteer spirit to our neighbors devastated by Helene, a few bad actors always slime out of the woodwork to take advantage of those in need." Somewhat fortunately in the face of this abhorrent human behavior, Attorney General Skrmetti explains “Price gouging and scamming vulnerable people after disasters is not only repulsive, it’s illegal. My office will not hesitate to enforce Tennessee’s consumer protection laws against any bad actor attempting to rip off Tennesseans recovering from the storm."
Learn more about Charity Scams, Price Gouging, and Construction and Repair Scams here. If you want to file a complaint the information on how to do so is available on the Tennessee Attorney General's Website and below:
Submitting a Complaint
If you are a victim of a scam or price gouging or want to report a person or company for disaster relief scams or price gouging, please contact the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs at 615-741-4737 or submit a complaint online at: https://www.tn.gov/attorneygeneral/working-for-tennessee/consumer/file-a-complaint.html.
For more information, please visit: Price Gouging & Disaster Recovery (tn.gov)
How can you help? First, even here, check out these organizations on these three websites and call them directly if you can to ensure you are going to the right website. Here are three websites to verify charities:
Be sure that you check and see where donations will be provided. Do your own research. These are starting points and not guaranteed or represented to be accurate in any way. Do your own homework and double check. Here are a list of Charities as reported by Knox News:
- East Tennessee Foundation's Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund is coordinating financial help.
- Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee is accepting water drop-offs at its Maryville warehouse, 136 Harvest Lane, Maryville. Water will shared with neighbors in Cocke and Sevier counties.
- Salvation Army crews are reportedly working in East Tennessee disaster areas with a base in Johnson City. It has been reported that all disaster donations go directly toward providing relief to survivors, according to reporting which cites this as a statement from the nonprofit, but does not provide a source. It has been reported that donations can be made online at helpsalvationarmy.org or by phone at 800-SAL-ARMY.
- The American Red Cross is taking monetary donations to help victims of Hurricane Helene. Donate by texting HELENE to 90999, or go to redcross.org/donate/donation.html. Blood donations by those in unaffected areas also are needed; find information and make an appointment at redcross.org/give-blood.html
- For more reported ways to search reputable and local (if possible) news organizations and double check before you repost or share information as best you can. As it has been said, "the only thing worst that being to slow is being too fast and wrong." This is a link to one article which was helpful in providing some of these resources.
Disclaimer: This post is educational only and the author makes no warranty nor endorsement regarding any of the organizations or viewpoints discussed herein.