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How to Avoid Charity Scams
Mallie Jane Kim
As
Generosity is alive and well in
But it can obviously be risky to simply say "yes" and open your wallet. How can donors be sure their hard-earned dollars make a tangible difference rather than lining the pockets of impostors or real charities that misuse funds? Experts agree that taking a little time for research is vital in order to avoid scams and to support effective organizations. "Use your heart, by all means," Berger advises. "But use your head as well."
The danger of being scammed is on the rise as the holidays approach, says the FBI, and it's always higher directly following a disaster like the earthquake last January in
Many will be using high-tech tactics. Phishing, though an increasingly well-known trick, still ensnares the unsuspecting or distracted, who click on E-mail links leading to false Web sites that ask for donations. The bogus sites are designed to seem real, but credit card data and passwords are captured by the scammers for their own gain. Victims who do not monitor their bills and credit scores may not know they've been scammed for quite some time.
The best way to avoid phishing is to type a charity's Web address directly into your browser. If you need to find a group by searching, note that most nonprofit Web sites contain the organization's name followed by ".org." Consumer and charity watchdog Web sites like the
A quick search on sites like these is a great way to find out if an organization actually exists and to avoid giving to sound-alike charities. In 2005,
Not all charities with similar names are scams, but neither are all created equal. If you want to give to the
Online or in person, the high-pressure pitch is a scammer's hallmark. The best policy is to avoid giving cash or wiring money; ask any solicitor on the street or who comes knocking on the front door for a website to get more information; and give directly to an organization rather than through a third-party telemarketing firm, which will likely keep a healthy cut, if not all, of your donation.
Choose well.
One giving trend that GuideStar CEO
People researching ways to help in
Suppose you want to help the homeless.
Of the programs in your area, whose solutions match up best with the problem you care about most? In
In urgent disaster response situations, Berger suggests the best alternative is to support an organization already on the ground and with a track record in disaster relief. Damage to
Websites like Charity Navigator break down the spending of charities they rate, so potential donors can see how much actually goes toward doing good versus administrative costs and fundraising.
A six-figure executive salary can seem excessive, but complex, multibillion-dollar organizations like the
Measurable results.
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How to Avoid Charity Scams
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