--- title: "Ida Relief: How your business can help without becoming a victim" description: Charity scams are unfortunately common after natural disasters. How can your business help and stay protected at the same time? image: https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/GettyImages-533768895.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/ida-relief-tips-how-your-business-can-help-without-becoming-a-victim#main-content) [![accuweather-business-white-01](https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/Website/accuweather-business-white-01.svg "accuweather-business-white-01")](https://afb.accuweather.com/) - [Learn & Support](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) Learn & Support [Overview](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) - [Case Studies](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/case-studies) - [Webinars](https://www.accuweather.com/en/blogs-webinars/welcome-to-accuweathers-webinar-hub/1692349) - [Press Releases](https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/press-releases/) - [Blog](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/blogs-webinars) [![accu-winter-events](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/accu-winter-events.jpg?width=90&height=90&name=accu-winter-events.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/webinar-winter-risk-mitigation-services) Webinar [Take the Worry out of Winter: Risk Mitigation](https://afb.accuweather.com/webinar-winter-risk-mitigation-services) [![accu-hurricane-events](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/accu-hurricane-events.jpg?width=90&height=90&name=accu-hurricane-events.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/hurricane-relief-tips-how-your-business-can-help-without-becoming-a-victim) Blog [How your business can help without becoming a victim](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/hurricane-relief-tips-how-your-business-can-help-without-becoming-a-victim) - [Let's Get Started](https://afb.accuweather.com/lets-get-started) - [Learn & Support](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) - [Case Studies](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/case-studies) - [Webinars](https://www.accuweather.com/en/blogs-webinars/welcome-to-accuweathers-webinar-hub/1692349) - [Press Releases](https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/press-releases/) - [Blog](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/blogs-webinars) [Home](https://afb.accuweather.com/)  /  [Featured](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/featured)  /  [Education](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/education)  /  [Tropical](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/tropical) # Ida Relief: How your business can help without becoming a victim Posted by [Elizabeth Potts](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/author/elizabeth-potts) on Sep 8, 2021 ![relief workers loading boxes into a van](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GettyImages-533768895.jpg?width=1200&height=628&name=GettyImages-533768895.jpg) Summary ## Charity scams are unfortunately common after natural disasters. How can your business help and stay protected at the same time? Key Highlights #### Research the organization you choose to give to #### It’s common for charity scams to target businesses after hurricanes #### AccuWeather has partnered with the American Red Cross to help those impacted by Ida  Giver Beware As we learn more about the catastrophic impacts of Ida across the U.S., many businesses are eager to jump into action to help victims. But business owners need to be on the lookout for a storm of “pop-up” charities that may try to benefit from others’ misfortune. Here are a few tips on how to give safely and effectively to ensure your donation reaches those who need it the most. **1. Get To Know Whom You Give To** - Choose only trusted, mainstream organizations. If a group is hesitant to provide information, something is wrong. Charities should always provide details to interested donors. Use resources such as the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, the Charity Navigator, or Charity Watch, to help research and answer any questions you have.  **2. Find Out Where Your Dollars Go** - Ask how much of your donation goes to fundraising expenses and how much is actually left for the services you want to support. **3. Give Directly** - Rather than giving through a third-party website, it is more efficient and less risky to give directly to the charity you choose. Giving directly ensures that your donation will not be delayed or diverted by a middleman. **4. Don’t Be Misled By A Charity's Familiar Name** - Some questionable charities may use a recognizable name that closely resembles that of a respected, legitimate organization. Research the group before you give. **5.** **Cash Is King**  - You may be tempted to donate clothing, food, bottled water, or other supplies. But aid organizations say that can create logistical nightmares and increase costs. A financial donation can be spent on what is needed most at a specific time. AccuWeather has partnered with the American Red Cross to help provide relief to those impacted by Ida. The Red Cross provides shelters, meals and water, emergency supplies, and health services, including mental health support. If you or your business want to help, click the button below.  [![Donate Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/7482826/93ff6c29-0533-4c0c-9c4e-5aaf200b372b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/7482826/93ff6c29-0533-4c0c-9c4e-5aaf200b372b)   The minimum donation amount is $10, and donations are tax-deductible. The Red Cross also accepts donations by phone. To donate by phone or request assistance with donating, call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669). ## The latest from AccuWeather For Business [![relief workers loading boxes into a van](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GettyImages-533768895.jpg?width=506&height=265&name=GettyImages-533768895.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/hurricane-relief-tips-how-your-business-can-help-without-becoming-a-victim) ### [Hurricane Relief: How your business can help without becoming a victim](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/hurricane-relief-tips-how-your-business-can-help-without-becoming-a-victim) Giver Beware [Read More](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/hurricane-relief-tips-how-your-business-can-help-without-becoming-a-victim) --- 2 minute read • Oct 6, 2022 [![Hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GettyImages-AB001599%20%281%29-1.jpg?width=506&height=265&name=GettyImages-AB001599%20%281%29-1.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/when-is-a-hurricanes-name-retired) ### [When Is a Hurricane's Name Retired?](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/when-is-a-hurricanes-name-retired) What's in a Name? 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