Beware scams exploiting Hurricane Harvey victims
We join Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp in warning our readers about con artists trying to take advantage of a horrible tragedy through bogus disaster relief charities for Hurricane Harvey victims.
Kemp said, in a prepared statement this week, “I am advising all potential donors to research any organization seeking funds for victims impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Unfortunately, the circumstances are ripe for bad actors to abuse Georgians’ urgent desire to help their fellow man in time of need.”
Scams can be reported to the state’s Charities Division by calling 404-654-6023 or sending an email to: charities@sos.ga.gov.
“Charitable giving is the lifeblood of many vital activities in our communities. To sustain this level of giving, donors must be confident that their funds are solicited honestly and used for the promised charitable purposes,” Kemp said. “I remain dedicated to coordinating our efforts with federal agencies, state officials, and charity regulators to put an end to this egregious misconduct. We will not sit idly by while bad actors work to defraud members of the public and rob legitimate charities of much needed support.” Kemp issued the following tips for charitable giving:
Research charities before you contribute. A number of online resources can help you research charities. The Better Business Bureau, the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, GuideStar, Charity Navigator and Charity Watch provide detailed information about non-profit organizations. Also, take time to review the organization’s own website.
Take the time to make sure that your money is really going to help those in need. Ask how much of your donation will go to the cause. The percentage of your contribution that a charity spends on fundraising activities, employee salaries, or expenses which do not directly support the charity’s stated mission varies greatly by organization.
Be wary of telephone solicitors asking for contributions. If you are solicited by phone, ask the individual to put the request in writing and provide detailed information and material about the charity and its program. Also, ask if the person conducting the solicitation is a volunteer or a paid fundraiser for that charity.
Never give your credit card, debit card or bank account information to a telephone solicitor. Be particularly cautious of couriers willing to rush out to your home or business to pick up your contribution. Avoid sending cash donations. Donate by credit card or check directly to the charity. Do not make payments to individuals. If your contribution exceeds $250, you should receive a letter from the charity confirming its charitable status as well as the amount of your donation.
If a tax deduction is important to you, make sure the organization has a tax-deductible status with the Internal Revenue Service. “Tax exempt,” “non-profit” and “tax-deductible” are not synonymous. Only “tax-deductible” means your contribution is deductible on your income tax return. If you contribute to a charity, make sure you get a receipt which shows the amount of your contribution and states that the contribution is tax-deductible.
Not all organizations with charitable-sounding names are actually charities. Many organizations adopt names confusingly similar to well-known charities. Be sure you know exactly who is asking for your contribution. Sites such as Charity Navigator can provide you a list of a charities that have a history of working on massive disasters.
We live in a very generous and compassionate community. We know our readers will be giving to relief efforts and we encourage you to do your homework and to give to those agencies and organizations best positioned to the do the most good. Daryl Cagle, Cagle Cartoons