Authorities say the likelihood of Sandy-related fraud reaches far beyond the East Coast.
The Justice Department is among those cautioning people to be watchful of bogus charities seeking donations, especially requests arriving through e-mail or Twitter.
They say it's wise to give to charities you are familiar with and can trust. People can alert authorities of Sandy-related fraud by calling a toll-free fraud center hotline that is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The hotline is at (866) 720-5721.
You can help victims of the storm by sending relief checks for the American Red Cross to ABC7. Checks can be made out to: American Red Cross, with Sandy Relief in the memo line. Send checks to:
Superstorm Sandy Relief
P.O. Box 5967
Glendale, CA 91221
See photos of superstorm Sandy along the East Coast
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
