INDIANAPOLIS -- Natural disasters like Hurricane Helene can bring out the best and worst in people. That’s why security experts are warning all of us to be on guard against scammers posing as charities, collecting donations for hurricane victims. One big thing to keep in mind, according to Scamicide’s Scam of the Day blog, is that charities are not subject to the federal Do Not Call list. That means if a scammer is able to spoof their number to look like organizations like the Red Cross or Convoy of Hope, you could have no idea it’s fake when they call you asking for donations.  You also shouldn’t trust an unsolicited email or text from what appears to be a charity. Don't trust any links those emails or texts contain--they could take you to a bogus website where your donation will simply go to the scammer. If you want to donate to a cause, by way of a charity, it’s best for you to call them or visit their website on your own without clicking a link in an email or text. That way, you know who you’re dealing with. When it comes to choosing a charity, Charity Navigator is a good place to start.  The website can tell you if an organization is legitimate or a scam. It can also tell you what percentage of donations actually goes to victims, as opposed to administrative costs and other things.  The website currently has a special page dedicated to Hurricane Helene, so you can see which reputable organizations are collecting money for those victims and how to contact them. In addition, the Better Business Bureau has a list of tips to avoid scams and misallocation of funds while donating to charitable causes in the wake of a disaster. You can find those on the BBB’s website.