Authorities warn of scammers finding opportunity in Hurricane Matthew

MIAMI – Scammers using the Hurricane Matthew disaster were targeting the good hearted, according to authorities. 

State authorities were working with GoFundMe, a popular crowd-funding platform, to verify the veracity of new accounts promising to deliver relief to victims of the storm. 

Attorney General Pam Bondi said she wants to "ensure donations go to those who truly need help and not to scammers using the disaster to prey on the good intentions of our citizens." 

Bondi was asking donors to call her office to check if the organization of their choice had any complaints filed against it.

Criminals also try to confuse donors with the use of logos  and names that are similar to those of widely known charities. 

To report on a scam, call the Florida Attorney General's Office 1-866-966-7226 or file a complaint online.