Sunday, January 17, 2010
How To Avoid Haiti Earthquake Donation Scams
Don't be an Impulse Donor, who gives money to anyone who claims to be a charity or a relief worker. Why be a victim of crime? Why be a chump who enriches a manipulative thief, preying on your sincerity and your good intentions?
Wise up. Learn the signs of a charity fraud. Know the tricks con artists use to take advantage of well-meaning kindness and generosity.
Here are some links that contain information about Haiti earthquake donation frauds, how to spot a scam, and how to donate wisely.
U.S. Dept. of Justice - FBI "Haitian Earthquake Relief Fraud Alert"
U.S. Dept. of Justice - FBI "Donation Fraud - Haitian Earthquake Relief Complaints"
Charity Navigator on Wikipedia
Charity Navigator blog: with warning about Wyclef Jean's Yele charity
Washington Post "Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti Foundation under financial scrutiny"
"FTC: Avoid Charity Fraud" Guide
CBS News "Red Cross Uses 9-11 Donations for Other Causes than 9-11 Victims"
CNN on Red Cross Mismanages Donated Funds for 9-11 Victims
Charity Fraud website
American Institute of Philanthropy Charity Watch
List of American Institute of Philanthropy approved Haiti charities
"Better Business Bureau: How to Vet Haiti Earthquake Charity Appeals"
"Better Business Bureau: Check Out a Charity" online review form
ABC News "Help Haiti But Beware"
ABC News "Haiti Relief Scam: First Email Spammers Appear"
"Guidelines for Appropriate Disaster Donations" Center for International Disaster Information
"Guidelines for Corporate Disaster Relief Donations" Center for International Disaster Information
"Haiti Earthquake Donations and Theology"
+
Labels:
charity,
con artists,
frauds,
scams
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
trying to comment dealing with difficulties
Our local schoolboard has partnered with Feed The Children, and on a quick google check I find Charity Watch listing them with such a bad rep that a google search for Charity Watch includes their Feed The Children page in the primary results!
Only ... when I then check with Charity Navigator, I find FTC rated highly, and even in the comments the worst they report is some concern over executive salaries (that are below what the School Board execs make ;)
So NOW what? Who's telling the truth here? If CW has such damning evidence against FTC, why does CN rate them 4 stars? And where are CW's references?
Post a Comment