Schmidt warns the public to make sure they are donating to a reputable charity and to specify that a charity uses donations for intended purposes.
“When natural disasters strike, it is human nature to offer help,” Schmidt said. “But, please donate wisely to established, legitimate disaster-relief charities.”
Here are a few simple tips for donating, to avoid being scammed:
- Make donations to established organizations with a strong track record of organizing and providing disaster relief.
- Initiate the donation yourself, rather than responding to online or phone solicitations.
- Avoid door-to-door solicitors or offers from charities to stop by a consumer’s home to pick up a check. These too could be fraudulent.
- Do not fall prey to high-pressure pitches from solicitors. Legitimate charities allow you time to think about how much — and when — you choose to donate.
- Be wary of charities that ask for alternate forms of payment. Legitimate charities rarely if ever ask you to give by wire transfer.
