Hurricane Florence Relief Efforts Will Be The Target Of Donation Scams
The 2018 hurricane season is upon us, which means there will soon be efforts made to collect money for initiatives designed to help with the recovery process. These acts of generosity are an amazing testament of human compassion, but, as we’ve learned in the past, this compassion can be quickly taken advantage of by criminals in search of a quick buck.
If you plan on donating to the hurricane relief efforts, remember to use caution when choosing your charity of choice. Scammers are targeting generous people like yourself who are eager to help the cause. So it’s crucial that you verify where your money is going and how (if possible) where it will be spent. Read on for valuable tips that will help you avoid being scammed.
Your Donations Matter
Laura MacDonald, CFRE, president of the Benefactor Group, is interviewed on this episode of unsuitable on Rea Radio to talk about what motivates most donors to participate in the $358 billion charitable giving market. (It’s no wonder scammers see events like natural disasters as opportunities.) Listen to the podcast now:
Do Your Homework
Charity scams continue to occur and, unfortunately, they are more sophisticated than ever. Being overly cautious when you’re choosing which organization to donate to will help you avoid becoming a victim. Additionally, it’s important to do your research and check to make sure your donation is being handled properly.
Follow these tips if you’re going to donate to the relief efforts:
- Use a check or credit card: Submitting cash donations increases your vulnerability to fraud. Consider making your donation with a check or credit card. It’s much more secure and your money can be tracked to make sure it’s going to the right charity.
- Know the organization: The best organizations to donate to are those with substantial, verifiable experience helping provide disaster relief effort. Any charity you’ve never heard of or that can’t provide records of past relief work should be considered with caution.
- Be wary of online solicitation: Email continues to be a popular way to target potential donors. Therefore, remember to only open email attachments if you’re certain of who sent it. Moreover, remember that anything you receive online could be fake. Always attempt to verify that an organization and its fundraising efforts are legit before writing a check or submitting an online payment.
- Report suspicious activity: If an organization fails to send information about its relief programs, back away. Authentic charities have the information you’re looking for and will happily provide it. Please, report any suspicious activity to the Better Business Bureau.
Scammers continue to prey on generous people, but with these tips, you won’t fall into their trap. Email Rea & Associates for help making secure donations.
By Ben Antonelli, CPA (Dublin office)