Media contact: Janet C. Hart, APR, CFEE (704) 927-8617 office
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Many Americans will
want to help the victims of the massive earthquake in Haiti. The easiest and most common way that people
can help is by making donations to relief agencies and charities that are
experienced at working with disaster victims.
However, as with every natural disaster, there are unscrupulous people who
will attempt to take advantage of your generosity. “In the face of any
disaster, Americans will immediately make donations to help the victims,” said BBB
President Tom Bartholomy.
“Unfortunately, scammers will also try to take advantage of generous
donors.”
The Better Business Bureau offers
the following advice to make sure your donations go to worthy charities and
relief efforts:
- Before making a contribution, go to www.bbb.org/charity
to obtain detailed reports on relief organizations and charities.
- Be wary of charities that are reluctant to answer
reasonable questions about their operations, finances and programs.
- Do not hesitate to ask for written information that
describes the charity’s program(s) and finances such as the charity’s
latest annual report and financial statements.
- Find out what the charity intends to do with any excess
contributions remaining after they have fully funded the disaster relief
activities mentioned in solicitations.
- Do not give cash or send money via wire transfer.
Checks or money orders should be made out to the name of the charitable
organization, not to the individual collecting the donation.
- Keep an eye out for fake charities that imitate the
name of well-known organizations in order to confuse people and
potentially steal your personal information.
- Don’t be pressured to give on-the-spot donations. Be
wary of any request to send a “runner” to pick up your contribution.
- Think twice about donating to any charity that is
inexperienced in carrying out relief efforts, but is soliciting donations
for earthquake relief. Although well intentioned, such organizations may
not have the ability to quickly deliver aid to those in need.
- Be wary of appeals that are long on emotion, but short
on describing what the charity will do to address the needs of victims and
their families.
- Do not give your credit card number or other personal
information to a telephone solicitor or in response to an e-mail
solicitation.
- To ensure your contribution is tax deductible,
donations should be made to charitable organizations that are tax exempt,
501(c)(3) charities.
For more information on the BBB Wise
Giving Alliance, please visit www.give.org. If you
have questions, please do not hesitate to call your local Better Business
Bureau at 1-877-317-7236
toll-free in N.C. and S.C.
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