It’s the season of giving, but be alert to scammers
The 2017 holiday giving season is officially here. Donation appeals — through the mail, by telephone, via social media and in person — are especially moving as recovery proceeds from the devastating impact of Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath. Donors will have a broad range of choices in directing their contributions to do significant good in our community.
Unfortunately, scammers — both the usual holiday villains and Harvey opportunists — have moved in, looking to take advantage of well-meaning donors.
The Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas’ Charity Review Coordinator Anne Wilburn encourages you to be as savvy about charitable giving as you are about making purchases this holiday season, by remembering these tips:
Always check your BBB first before
giving. Search our free charity reports at BBBHouston.org. More than 500 charities in our service area are evaluated to determine if they meet the “20 Standards for Charity Accountability” in regard to their governance, financial management and fundraising practices.
2. Don’t be pressured to give on the spot. Giving is voluntary and charities welcome your support year-round. Ask what percentage of your gift will go to the campaign, cause or program they are soliciting for, and consider the charity’s track-record in making a meaningful impact in achieving their mission. Be skeptical of claims that “100 percent of donations go to those needing assistance” — all charities have operational and fundraising expenses.
3. Resist giving by emotion or impulse. This is especially important this year with the well-publicized devastation caused by the storm. Check if the organization’s name or logo has been made to resemble that or a well-known charity, and be wary if the solicitor will not or cannot answer basic questions, prove authenticity or provide verifiable contact information.
A word about internet crowdfunding: some trendy crowdfunding websites make it very easy for anyone to initiate a solicitation campaign, and do very little vetting. Even if a campaign is receiving positive media coverage and is promoted by highprofile celebrities, it is often difficult for prospective donors to verify how contributions will be used, who will decide, and whether your donation will have the impact you intend. 4.
Write a check instead of giving cash. If the solicitor is accepting cash only, do not give. Cash is more difficult to reimburse than a check or credit card, if you fall victim to a scammer. Instead, write a check to the charity’s name and make it payable to the charity’s address. Most 501(c) 3 nonprofit organizations should also provide you with a tax deductible receipt. Do not give if the solicitor does not want to give a receipt or claims not to have receipts at the time of payment.
5.
Donate online, directly on the charity’s website. Before enter your credit or debit card information, check out the website. Look for the charity’s IRS Form 990, audit report, annual report, and privacy policy, and do not give if there are no security measures in place for processing the transaction. Be sure the donation page address starts with https:// indicating that it is secure.
The Better Business Bureau is an unbiased nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews and BBB Wise Giving Reports to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. For information or to check the reliability of a company and find trustworthy businesses, visit www.bbbhouston. org, which includes our BBB Accredited Business Directory, or call 713-868-9500. Leah Napoliello is senior director of Investigative Services with the Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas. Send questions regarding homeowner issues to Leah Napoliello, Better Business Bureau, 1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77027, or e-mail her at lnapoliello@bbbhou. org. Include mailing address and phone number on letters and emails.