HINTS FROM HELOISE
Dear Readers:
Most people give to a charity in order to do something good for someone else. Unfortunately, scammers use that to get people to give money to fake charities. Here are some hints from the Federal Trade Commission to help you determine if you should really make a contribution:
Hang up on anyone asking you to send cash, or asking you to wire money.
Give only to charities you are familiar with, and you can check those out with the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch or GuideStar.
Do your research! Search online and look under “charity complaints” and “charity scams.”
Be very careful with crowdfunding sites or any social media asking for money. Anyone can set up a crowdfunding site to plead for money for false charities.
If a charity seemed to just appear after a natural disaster, be sure to research it very carefully. Some are just scammers who will misuse your generosity.
Always go to the charity's website and validate the phone number, but don't click on attachments in emails. You never know what type of malware you might pick up.
For more information, go to ftc.gov/charity, or if you've been the victim of a scam, go to ftc.gov/complaint. Heloise.com Heloise P.O. Box 795000 San Antonio, TX 78279 King Features Syndicate