If you’re consider helping survivors of recent hurricanes, do research before you make a contribution.
Reports following Hurricane Harvey indicate some scammers are using links to fake charities as a phishing attempt to steal personal information, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said. Scammers have already attempted to set up fake GoFundMe campaigns soliciting donations for Hurricane Irma.
“Unfortunately, natural disasters can bring out the most shameless scammers,” Schneiderman said. “We’ve seen troubling reports of cybercriminals and fraudsters looking to exploit individuals who are simply trying to help those in need. Please remain vigilant before donating to any fundraising appeal or clicking on any links supposedly associated with charities.”
The attorney general offers the following tips for those contributing to the relief effort:
Take time to research the organization. Make sure you are familiar with the organization, its mission, and its effectiveness before giving. Always ask for information in writing – be wary if an organization won’t provide information about charitable programs and finances when you ask about it. Any legitimate organization will be happy to send you information. Check the agency that registers charities in your state to find out whether the charity is registered and to learn more about its mission and finances.
Know where your money will go. Find out from the charity what it will do with your money. Review the charity’s financial reports for information about how it spends donations. Ask specifically how the charity plans to use your donation, including the services and organizations your donation will support. Ask if the charity already has worked in the local area or has relationships with any local relief organizations. Also, ask what the charity plans to do with any excess donations. Avoid charities that make emotional appeals but are vague in answering your questions.
Give to established charities. Donate to organizations you are familiar with, or have an experience assisting in disaster relief. Get information about charities that pop up solely in response to the hurricane or those with unfamiliar names.
Be cautious with telephone solicitations. Telephone calls asking for donations to charity are often made by a professional fundraiser who’s required to register with a state agency. Remember – you can always hang up. If you don’t end the call, ask whether the telemarketer is registered and how much of your donation will go to charity and how much the telemarketer is being paid. Many telemarketers receive most of the money they raise. Giving directly to a charity avoids those costs.
Check before you text a contribution. Check the charity’s website or call the charity to confirm it has authorized contributions to be made via text message. One thing to keep in mind is that donations via text messaging may not reach the charity until after your phone bill is paid. It may be faster to contribute directly to the charity.
Check before donating to an online giving site. Make sure your contribution to campaigns set up by individuals on sites such as GoFundMe or CrowdRise will go to charity and not to the person raising the funds. Don’t contribute unless you know that person.
Don’t respond to unsolicited spam emails. These formats aren’t usually associated with legitimate charities. Check the Department of Homeland Security’s tips, such as Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks.
Never give cash. Give your contribution by credit card or a check made payable to the charity.
Be careful about personal information. Avoid giving credit card or personal information over the phone or by text message. In all cases, make sure you’re familiar with the organization and check to see that the fundraising campaign is legitimate before donating.
Report suspicious organizations. If you believe an organization is misrepresenting its work, or that a scam is taking place, contact your state’s attorney general’s office and the state agency that registers charities.
The following additional websites offer information to evaluate charities:
- CharityWatch – charitywatch.org
- Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance – bbb.org
- GuideStar – guidestar.org
- Charity Navigator – charitynavigator.org
