(WNY News Now) As wildfires ravage communities, Attorney General Letitia James warns of potential frauds that rely on compassion and advises New Yorkers to exercise caution while making charitable contributions.
NEW YORK As wildfires fueled by dry, windy conditions continue to burn across New York and adjoining states, New York Attorney General Letitia James offered advice to residents of the state who want to contribute relief efforts. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) urges everyone to take precautions to make sure they are contributing to reputable charitable organizations and cautions New Yorkers about scam charities that try to exploit their worries.
Attorney General James remarked, “It is encouraging to see so many New Yorkers eager to help as we witness the devastating impact of wildfires in New York and our neighboring states.” I urge New Yorkers to back reputable charities and to be on the lookout for businesses that take advantage of people’s kindness for their own benefit. Our office will keep up its efforts to safeguard your contributions and support anyone who comes across predatory behavior. I urge New Yorkers who encounter any difficulties making a donation to get in touch with my office.
Particularly after natural disasters, dishonest organizations may attempt to exploit the good intentions of New Yorkers. As they look for ways to assist, New Yorkers must be informed on the serious effects of this year’s wildfires. To guarantee that donations are secure and efficient, the OAG provides the following advice:
Solicited via email? Identify the Solicitor. Find out who is using that email address if you receive a solicitation via it. To determine whether the email is indeed from the charity, get in touch with them or check their website. Never reply to an email solicitation with your credit card number or personal information unless you have already looked into the organization.
When donating on social media or other fundraising websites, use caution. Before making a donation via social media or fundraising websites, find out who is behind the initiative and ask the same questions you would of a charity. Websites that allow organizations and individuals to raise money for charitable purposes might not fully screen users. Only campaigns run by persons they know should receive donations. To find out what fees will be incurred, donors should also carefully review the website’s Terms and Conditions and frequently asked questions. Additionally, don’t assume that charities that are suggested on blogs, social media, or other websites have already undergone screening. Make sure the charity is aware of the campaign and has granted permission for the use of its name or emblem by doing your own research on it. If it’s possible, subscribe to the campaign organizer’s updates to stay informed about the campaign’s spending of donations.
Before giving, make sure. Donate to organizations you are familiar with, and before making a donation, thoroughly research the organization. For information on which charities are leading the way in aid, visit a website such as https://disasterphilanthropy.org/. If they ask for donations from New Yorkers, the majority of charities must register and submit financial reports to OAG’s Charities Bureau. For charity financial reports, visit OAG’s website or request them directly from the charity.
Inquire about the Use of Your Donation. Learn about the services and people your donation will help, as well as how the charity intends to utilize it. Learn more than just the reason. Find out which entity or group will get the funding, what services or programs it offers, and what it does. Determine the proportion of the organization’s budget that goes toward achieving its goals. Administrative costs are incurred by all charities, but if they exceed the amount of money donated to relief efforts, be cautious.
Examine recently established organizations carefully. Following catastrophes, new groups frequently arise to address the needs of the community. Even though the majority of these groups have good intentions and some might offer creative ways to help, some might not have the infrastructure or knowledge to deliver on their commitments, and some might end up being frauds.
Before texting a contribution, use caution. To find out if a charity has permitted text message donations, visit their website or give them a call.
Don’t give money. Donate directly to the charity via the charity’s website or by sending a cheque payment to the organization.
Use caution when disclosing personal information. Before providing personal or credit card information over the phone, over text message, or online, exercise caution. In every situation, confirm that the fundraising effort is authentic and that you are acquainted with the organization to whom you are providing this information.
Report Questionable Companies. Please contact the Charities Bureau or give them a call at 212-416-8401 if you think a group is lying about its activity or that a fundraising or charity scam is occurring.