You’ve probably been hearing this warning a lot since the recent events in Boston and Texas, but we think it bears repeating. Whenever a disaster occurs, whether it is caused by an act of nature or by humans, unscrupulous people will take advantage of the kindness of those wanting to help. It's important that we all do our research before contributing money to an organization that assists those impacted by these devastating events.
One of the best ways to avoid being scammed is to make donations to
well-known or verifiable charities. Take the time to check out anyone who
solicits you. A helpful online tool is the Better Business Bureau website, which
evaluates charities so that donors can make sound giving decisions.
If you find yourself being solicited to by an individual using high-pressure
tactics, it’s best to back away. Ask them to provide written information about
the charity. If they don't want to, consider that a huge red flag. Something is
not right. Legitimate charities will give you time to think about your donation
and are very willing to send you information about the charity and about how
your money will be spent.
If possible, don’t give cash when making a donation. Using a check or your
credit card will provide you with a record of your contribution, which can be
useful when it comes to tax deductions. Remember to ask if your contribution is
tax-deductible and ask for a receipt. Also, make note that no legitimate
charity will ever have you make a check out to an individual, so don’t do it!
Your money will not be going to help anyone but the scammer.
Don’t respond to email solicitations unless you have requested the
solicitation from a specific charity. Email is a perfect medium for scammers to
reach an unsuspecting individual who just wants to help. Scammers can easily
make their emails and their addresses appear to come from a legitimate charity,
so be especially wary of anything requesting money via email.
Never provide anyone with personal information of any kind when responding
to an unsolicited request for a donation. Negligent handling of your personal
info could result in serious identity theft, which can hurt you financially and
be extremely difficult to correct.
Stick with charities you know or can verify who have low administrative
costs verses the amount of money going to help the cause. Pick up the phone and
call charities yourself and see if they are taking contributions for the cause
you are interested in. That way you are sure to connect with right charity and
your money will go to help those you are reaching out to.
Following the tips above will not only help you feel confident you are
making a sound giving decision, it will ensure your money is going where it
should—to the organization that can make the most of it by helping those in