CROMWELL — Many of us open our wallets to help the less fortunate at this time of year, however, Connecticut Better Business Bureau warns consumers that criminals are working hard to intercept donations.
Charity scams are not new. They peak after man-made and natural disasters, as well as during the holidays. One problem is that donors may never know whether their gift went to a legitimate charity or not. Phony charities may use the names of legitimate organizations, names that are similar to well-known charities or create what appears to be a trustworthy charity but is in fact, fictitious.
Charities are among exemptions to the Do Not Call list, however, caller identification is not reliable, and charity cheats try to use that to their advantage to catch consumers off guard. If you respond to the appeal, you could end up giving your credit card information to a criminal.
Connecticut Better Business Bureau recommends against calling any telephone number provided by someone posing as a member of a charity or clicking on charity links in emails or through social media and other sources. If you do receive a call in the name of a well-known charity, go to its website for contact information, rather than using information provided by a caller or a hyperlink.
BBB recommends several tips to ensure your donation reaches its intended destination:
- Resist pressure to give on the spot – Whether from a telemarketer or door-to-door solicitor.
- Obtain the charity’s exact name and contact information – With so many charities in existence, mistaken identity is a common problem. Thousands of charities have “cancer” in their name, for example, but no connection with one another.
- Press for specifics -If the charity says it’s helping the homeless, for example, ask how and where it’s being used.
- Be careful how you pay – Use a secure method to donate. Do not send cash, which can be lost or stolen. A credit card is more secure and creates a record for taxes.
- Be wary of heart-wrenching appeals – What matters is what the charity is doing to help.
- Research charities with the BBB Wise Giving Alliance (WGA) – Visit the WGA website at give.org to look up charities and see whether they conform to the 20 standards of charity accountability.
Howard Schwartz, Executive Communications Director
