Phony Charity Scams
Crooks often pose as charities in these effective schemes that both trick you out of you money and take money from those needing it most.
No one wants to be the bad guy -- the selfish lout who can't spare a little change for the orphans of
September 11 or children who are cancer patients. But that doesn't mean you have to be a sucker. If
you want to give to charity, by all means, give away -- but check out the charity first.
Never give payment information to anyone calling or e-mailing you, claiming to be with a charity.
Ask them to send you paperwork on their organization. Then research the organization online and
with the Better Business Bureau to make sure it's legitimate -- and that you've got the right
contact information. For example, an e-mail circulated in 2001 claimed to be from the Red Cross.
It said it was raising money for victims of Sept. 11. While the Red Cross is a legitimate charity,
the e-mail led people to a Web site set up by con artists.
If the charity representative pressures you to give immediately, get even more suspicious.
Legitimate charities withstand scrutiny, and never hesitate to prove they are who they
say they are.
Related Charity Fraud Links
www.charitywatch.org
www.charitynavigator.org
www.give.org
American Red Cross
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