If Irma unleashes catastrophic damage, the need for donations to help storm victims will continue.

Before you donate, however, make sure the outfit seeking your money is legit. It's not uncommon for scam artists to emerge after disasters to prey on the charitably inclined. Spam emails or social media posts seeking donations for Harvey victims might look believable, but it's best to check out the group if you're unfamiliar with it.

You can do that at sites such as CharityNavigator.org or GuideStar. Charity Navigator also has a list of more than 40 groups that pass muster and are offering direct relief to communities devastated by Harvey's flooding.

Crowdfunding sites also still have campaigns going on for Harvey victims, including GlobalGiving.org, which is hoping to raise $5 million exclusively for emergency disaster relief and long-term recovery efforts. GoFundMe.com and YouCaring.com also have areas on their websites dedicated to fundraising efforts for people affected by Harvey.

Also, as Irma progresses, donors should check back to see how charities are responding. Typically, there will be separate fundraising campaigns for people to donate to each hurricane. If you donate by personal check, make sure to note in the memo line which hurricane donation the money was sent to for your records.

Read the source article at cnbc.com