As the holiday season gets into full swing, the FBI is warning the public about an increase in charity and disaster-relief fraud, saying scammers frequently use natural disasters, emergencies, and crises to solicit moneys.

People and groups running scams often make their pitches after major disasters, posing as legitimate charities or relief organizations to collect donations that never reach those in need, according to federal investigators.

The scams may involve emails, phone calls, crowdfunding pages, social media posts or websites that appear to be the online home for legitimate nonprofit organizations.

Federal officials say scammers may also impersonate contractors, government agencies, or relief workers offering cleanup or recovery services. In many cases, victims are asked to pay

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