Watch out for fake crowdfunding campaigns

Local experts have another warning about Hurricane Harvey relief scams. The Better Business Bureau is seeing a lot of suspicious crowdfunding pleas on sites like GoFundMe, Kickstarter, Indiegogo and RocketHub.

If you're planning to make a donation, keep in mind some crowdfunding sites do very little vetting of individuals who decide to post for assistance after a disaster.

Double check those pictures. Since many fake campaigns involve "borrowing" photos and creating stories around them, your first line of defense against a crowdfunding scam is a reverse image search. Cross check any photos used in the campaign, as well as any related photos on the organizer's social media pages.

The BBB urges you to rely on respected experts to evaluate a charity.

Be cautious when considering recommendations from bloggers or social media personalities. They may not have fully researched the organizations.

See if the charity has an "on-the-ground presence" in the disaster area and if the agency's website clearly describes what will be done with your money. Also, find out if the charity is providing direct emergency aid, or is only raising money for other groups.

You can report disaster relief scams through the BBB's storm tracker or call the Texas Attorney General's hotline at 1-800-621-0508.