A multimillion-dollar industry you don’t want to be a part of -- charity fraud. 

According to the latest federal data, Americans reported losing $300 million to charity fraud in one year.

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5 On Your Side shares how you can donate wisely.

In the world of scams, the FBI warns of Disaster Fraud, which is when “criminals" exploit tragedies like damaging weather events, making it especially profitable.

“It's about how we are emotionally manipulated in that moment,” said Lisa Plaggemier, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance, a nonprofit focused on cyber security awareness and education.

"There's going to be fake GoFundMes, there is going to be look-alike sites from every charity you can imagine," Plaggemier said. "I mean, that's what they're going to do. They're going to create a clone that looks legitimate."

Any time we witness a severe weather event, whether it be in the mountains, on the coast, or in our area, people open up their wallets to help. Here are five ways to ensure that money doesn’t go to a scammer.

  • Type in the URL yourself. If you know which charity you want to donate to, don’t Google it…scammers create sites that mimic the real thing.
    • Pay with a credit card. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it. Scammers ask you to pay that way.

      "You really, really need to do your homework because those fake charity sites and fake crowdfunding campaigns will pop up overnight literally," Plaggemier said. 

      • Protect your personal information: Legitimate charities may ask for your contact details, but scammers will ask for sensitive information like your bank account number, date of birth, and SSN. Don’t give it away.
        • Report it: If you suspect you’re dealing with a scammer, let the North Carolina Attorney General's office and the Federal Trade Commission know.

          Plaggemier said that cybercrimes, such as charity scams, often go underreported and reminds people of the importance of reporting to law enforcement, especially if you’ve lost money.

          She said you may not hear back, but it will help them recognize trends and patterns.