Watch Out for Charity Scams Claiming to Help Hurricane Harvey Victims. It never fails. For every act of heroism during a national disaster another act of piracy is waiting in the wings. US CERT, the US governments chief agency responsible for detecting and minimizing cyber threats, issued an advisory on Monday warning about the proliferation of online scams aimed at those donating to ease the suffering of those afflicted by Tropical Storm Harvey. While the magnitude of the damage has yet to be fully assessed, the Gulf Coast could see more than 5. Free Download Shrek In The Swamp Karaoke Dance Party Cartoon. Officials estimate that more than 3. At least five deaths have already been attributed to what the Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA has termed a landmark disaster. Watch The Full Blood Tea And Red String The Cartoon' title='Watch The Full Blood Tea And Red String The Cartoon' />Many of those victims will rely not only on federal and state assistance, but the charitable acts of their fellow citizens, some of whom, eager to open their wallets, will become prey to online scams heartlessly siphoning funds away from those whove lost nearly everything. Specifically, US CERT warns that phishing attacks will likely be pervasive both during and after the disaster, and users are advised to be cautious of any emails and hyperlinks referencing the storm, even if it appears to originate from a trusted source. Buzz. Feed has singled out one emergency number widely circulating that actually directed callers to an insurance company. Fraudulent emails will often contain links or attachments that direct users to phishing or malware infected websites. Emails requesting donations from duplicitous charitable organizations commonly appear after major natural disasters, the agency says. So where can you safely put your money and do the most good Theres always the American Red Cross 1 8. RED CROSS, though the organizations reputation was significantly tarnished due to its reported failure to provide relief of any quantifiable sort in Haiti after the devastating earthquake in 2. Remaining apolitical, agencies including CERT recommend relying on the Better Business Bureaus Wise Giving Alliance, which is a solid piece of advice. You might also consult Guide. Star or The American Institute of Philanthropy. Better still, many people in the charity world suggest that putting money directly in the hands of local and state organizations is the most efficient way to help those in need. Below is a brief list of organizations to consider. It never fails. For every act of heroism during a national disaster another act of piracy is waiting in the wings. USCERT, the US governments chief agency. We recommend contacting all local groups in advance to gauge their needs and to make sure theyre still up and running in the wake of the flooding. Watch the latest Featured Videos on CBSNews. View more videos on CBS News, featuring the latest indepth coverage from our news team.