Quote: First Amongst Daves said: Best to give money to a recognised charity, folks.
Good point.
Attorneys general in New York, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Michigan issued a statement earlier this week offering safe donation tips.
Anyone interested in giving to a charity can follow a basic security checklist to ensure that they are not being victimized by a scam and that their donation is used appropriately.
Avoid charities that seem to have appeared overnight to collect funds for hurricane relief. Whenever possible, contribute to charities that you already know and trust. If you've never donated to a charity before but would like to evaluate your options, the Attorney General's office published a report on its Web site — ww.oag.state.ny.us — comparing different organizations.
Don't respond to e-mail requests. According to ScamBusters.org, most legitimate charities and aid organizations do not solicit electronically, and those that do usually only contact previous donors. If you receive an e-mail from a charity you have never heard of or have never donated to, it's probably a scam.
Be wary of telemarketers. According to the New York State Attorney General's office, telemarketing firms often keep up to 70 percent of the funds they collect. If you receive a call at home, ask the caller if he or she is an employee of the charity or a paid solicitor from an outside firm. If you have any doubt, don't donate over the phone. Ask for the mailing address of the charity and send a check.
Make a targeted donation. Many charities allow donors to designate specific uses for their donations. By taking advantage of this option, you can specify exactly how your donation will be spent.
Donate money, not food or clothes. Storing and distributing large shipments of food or clothing uses up volunteers' time, whereas money can be used to buy specific resources as needs arise, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said this week.
