In the Wake of a Tragedy, Make Sure Donations Count

December 21, 2012
by
Amy Hebert
Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

After the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, many people are looking for a way to help, like making a donation to a charity or fund.

Doing some research first will help ensure that your donation will go to a reputable organization that will use the money as promised — and as you intend.

If you’re asked to make a charitable donation to support Newtown, consider these tips:

  • Donate to charities you know and trust. Be alert for charities that seem to have sprung up overnight.
  • Ask if a caller is a paid fundraiser, who they work for, and what percentage of your donation goes to the charity and to the fundraiser. If you don’t get a clear answer — or if you don’t like the answer you get — consider donating to a different organization.
  • Don’t give out personal or financial information — including your credit card or bank account number — unless you know the charity is reputable.
  • Never send cash: you can’t be sure the organization will receive your donation, and you won’t have a record for tax purposes.
  • Check out the charity with the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Watch, or GuideStar.
  • Find out if the charity or fundraiser must be registered in your state by contacting the National Association of State Charity Officials.

For more on the questions to ask and for a list of groups that can help you research a charity, go to ftc.gov/charityfraud.

Tagged with: charity, scam
Blog Topic: Avoid Scams, Be Smart Online

Comments

Walesitu | December 24, 2012
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It is becoming increasing difficult to prevent and protect personal accounts, privacy and security when breaches are raining on you. hard and fast. The consolation is that the FTC is the only protection against scams, frauds, Phishing, and ID Theft invasion on the Internet.

sad | December 27, 2012
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Its so sad that people will try to exploit a tragedy
<a href="http://www.onguardonline.gov/blog/wake-tragedy-make-sure-donations-count">Sad</a>

334024 | January 5, 2013
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Making a donation for a good cause is something everyone should do. Of course people should be aware about who they are donating to because some can be scams. Giving out credit card information or sending out money can be very risky. Its better to make a donation in person to the foundation.

Javier T | January 18, 2013
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Is really sad if the organization that is getting the money does not use it for the purpose they mentioned. anything that has to do with sending money out is not safe is better the way 334024 said "Its better to make a donation in person to the foundation".

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