Officials in Middle Tennessee are warning the victims of recent flooding that scammers and "shady contractors" are already trying to get in touch.
"Just folks popping in here, trying to take advantage," Waverly Police Chief Grant Gillespie said during a press conference on Monday (August 23). He added that "nothing criminal" has happened yet but said people have shown for payment before work has been completed, per FOX 17.
This wouldn't be the first time scammers have tried to take advantage of victims of natural disasters, according to Chief Gillespie, referencing tornadoes and the major flood that hit Nashville in May 2010.
"We saw a little bit of that in 2010 and Nashville tornadoes," he said. "We just don't want that to happen here and we're watching for you if you come into town and do that."
While you should be wary of potential scams when donating to relief efforts, there are plenty of legitimate ways to help victims of the floods. The Tennessee Secretary of State has tips for giving on its website, including asking plenty of questions, requesting a receipt, and doing your own research, among others. Learn more here. You can also donate items to the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, National Guard Armory in Waverly, or the Nashville Community Resource Center.
At least 22 people were killed when heavy rains flooded Humphreys, Houston, Dickson and Hickman counties on Saturday (August 21), including 7-month-old twins who were swept from their father's arms and Loretta Lynn's friend and ranch foreman Wayne Spears. Search crews are still looking for several other people, including children, who are still missing.