Resources for New Yorkers Impacted by Conflict in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza

The U.S. government is arranging charter flights to assist U.S. citizens and their immediate family members who have been unable to book commercial transit and seek a safe means of departing Israel. From these locations, individuals will be able to make their own onward travel arrangements to the destination of their choice. The State Department advises individuals will be asked to repay the U.S. government for these flights.

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and Consulate in Tel Aviv are open from 8am-1pm local time and are providing emergency services to U.S. citizens including the issuance of emergency passports.

Stay informed about the latest updates from the U.S. Department of State.

For 24-Hour Phone Support: Call 1-800-985-5990. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline can connect you with counselors for support in 100+ languages via 3rd party interpretation, including in Hebrew and Arabic.

For a 24-hour Crisis Text Line: Text GOT5 to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.

For 24-Hour Support for Deaf or hard of hearing American Sign Language users: Dial 1-800-985-5990 from a videophone-enabled device or via an “ASL Now” link on the Disaster Distress website.The national Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is now offering direct crisis counseling and support for Deaf or hard of hearing American Sign Language users via a dedicated videophone option. Disaster survivors and responders can connect with trained DDH crisis workers fluent in ASL.

Domestic and Sexual Violence Crisis Hotline

People—primarily women—arriving from war-torn countries are more often victims of domestic and sexual violence. The trauma associated with war can make it particularly difficult for survivors to seek help, but you are not alone.

New York State has a 24 hour crisis hotline for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. If your partner hurts or controls you, or you are unsafe in your relationship, you can contact the NYS Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-942-6906, texting 1-844-997-2121, or chatting online at opdv.ny.gov. Callers can connect with advocates for confidential support in most languages, including Hebrew and Arabic.

Find more information about resources for survivors.

Avoiding Donation Scams

Anytime disasters or humanitarian crises occur, scam artists prey on the heartstrings of individuals looking to help. The recent events in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza provides an opportunity for fraudsters to set up fake charities or pose as compelling war victims. Others design websites to mimic a legitimate charity’s official site to steal unsuspecting donors' money and/or personal information.

To prevent donation money from falling into the wrong hands, the New York State Division of Consumer Protection recommends taking the following precautions:

• Verify the request. Scammers are more frequently posing as friends, family or romantic interests on social media and requesting donations. If you receive an unsolicited request for donation relief online, even if it appears to be someone you know, connect with the person directly through a different communication link to verify the request. Do not click on any links or complete forms before verifying the source. If the request is coming from someone you only recently met online, it is most likely a scam and you should be especially wary.
• Research the charity. Don’t rely on a charity website alone. Search online before donating to any charity using the name of the group plus search terms like “review” and “scam”. The Federal Trade Commission recommends checking with give.org, charitynavigator.org, charitywatch.org, or candid.org to see reports and ratings for charities. You can also check with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for verification that a charity is registered. The Office of the Attorney General also recommends reviewing the Charities Registry for financial reports prior to donating to ensure the charity is fiscally sound.
• Resist high-pressure tactics. While the situation is urgent, consumers should resist being pressured to donate immediately. Scammers often pressure you to donate immediately, causing you to overlook red flags in their story. Beware of direct e-mails from “victims” and solicitors who employ heart-wrenching stories, insisting that you donate immediately. Do not to give money over the phone to unsolicited telemarketers; instead, ask the caller to send written materials about the charity and where to donate, if you choose.
• Keep personal information private. Never give your Social Security number, credit card or debit card number, or other personal identifying information in response to an unsolicited charitable request. If donating online, ensure that your internet connection is secure before following through on donation requests.
• Ask how your money will be spent. Consumers want to know that their money is going directly to the victims. A genuine charity should be able to let you know how much of your donation will go directly to the program as opposed to administrative fees.
• Donate by check or credit card. Never give money using cash, gift cards, crypto currency, or any tender that would be difficult to trace. Give your contribution by check or credit card to ensure that you have a record of the donation. Make checks out to the charity, not to an individual. If you choose to donate via a charity's website, check that the website is secure and that your computer is equipped with the latest anti-virus protection.

If you suspect that you have encountered a fraudulent attempt to receive donations, you can file a complaint with the New York State Division of Consumer Protection.

The Division’s Consumer Assistance Hotline is open Monday to Friday, excluding State holidays, 8:30am to 4:30pm at 1-800-697-1220. You can find more information and tips by following the Division of Consumer Protection on social media on Twitter and Facebook.