NY Attorney General Letitia James warns of charity scams linked to Venezuela earthquake relief

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a public warning on July 8 about fraudulent charitable solicitations tied to the recent devastating earthquake in Venezuela. She urged New Yorkers to verify that any donation campaign is run by a legitimate organization, to scrutinise emails, social‑media appeals and text‑message offers, and to avoid giving personal or financial information without confirmation. James advised donors to check a charity’s website, confirm its approval to use the name or logo, and to use established platforms such as Disaster Philanthropy for guidance. She also encouraged anyone who encounters a suspicious fundraiser to report it to the Charities Bureau or contact her office. “My heart breaks for all those impacted by this devastating earthquake in Venezuela and their families and loved ones here in New York,” James said, stressing the need for caution to protect generosity from scammers.