Don't Fall For Japan Disaster Scams

They're starting already. The cleanup from Japan's massive earthquake and tsunami disaster has not yet begun, but scammers are seeking to exploit people's desire to help.

"Unfortunately, there are those who will try to cash in on such an awful human tragedy like this," said Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller.  "While I know Iowans want to help, I urge people to be careful about how they help.  Take the time to check out a charity before you donate."

Ignore unsolicited appeals

When you receive an unsolicited call or email asking you to donate to any kind of Japan relief fund, hang up or delete the message. And make sure you don't click on links or open any attachments. (Read more about consumer scams).

Insistence by a solicitor that the donation must be made immediately is a serious red flag. Any legitimate charity doesn't use pressure.

Don't donate to a charity unless you know something about it. Do some online research using sites like CharityNavigator.org. If an organization in your local community is putting together a relief drive, it's probably safest to support something like that.

Bogus video clips

Meanwhile, if you want to view footage of the tsunami, do not click on any links posted on your Facebook page. In all likelihood they are a scam. Sophos Security reports Facebook users are being tricked into clicking on links that claim to be raw CNN footage of the giant wave. It's really just a scheme to drive web traffic to take online surveys.

Users are maneuvered into responding to an online survey which earns commission for the scammers. They scammers are using the CNN brand in hopes it will seem more credible to Americans.

"It's a sad reflection on human nature that a series of scams have appeared since the disaster in Japan, all trying to make commercial gain out of what is a horrific human tragedy," said Graham Cluley, Senior Technology Consultant at Sophos.

If you want to view footage of the disaster, it's safest to do so at news sites, not Facebook.