Cautious approach to disaster fundraising

The following article by Tom Newsome is appropriate for the current situation in Haiti. IGenerosity is a human trait shared by every culture in every country across the planet. Unfortunately, greed, corruption and fraud are just as common. It's a sad observation that anytime a world crisis occurs, thieves around the world are prepared to pounce on those who want to lend a helping hand. A little vigilance and research can ensure your donation is falling into the right hands.

Always be cautious when approached by an unknown charity or organization claiming to be collecting funds for a recent tragedy. Typically organizations with any degree of credibility will have a name you easily recognize. This is where a little extra vigilance comes in handy. Verify the name is exactly the same. It is not uncommon for those attempting to commit fraud to use names very similar to actual emergency or charity organizations.

If you are confronted face to face, there are few things you can quickly do to ascertain the legitimacy of the organization. First, are they conducting business in a highly visible and public area? Second, are they providing documentation regarding their organization and does it have recognizable logos or branding associated with the organization they claim to represent? Third, are they providing or at least offering proper receipts for donations? Finally, if there is any indication they only desire cash donations you should walk away.

If contacted by phone, be aware that this is the most typical operation for fraudsters. The majority of legitimate fund raising organizations will not employ telephone campaigns to raise funds in this manner. Again, pay attention to the organization's name. A quick way to determine if the organization is real is to ask for their charity tax identification number. Another method is to ask them to send you hard copy details regarding the campaign through the mail. If you're dealing with criminals, they will usually end the conversation as quickly as they can. You can also ask them for a web site address with contact information so you can do some research and then make a decision.

Also be aware that many organizations outsource telephone fundraising to companies with employees who may receive commissions for obtaining donations. If the demeanor of the individual you are speaking with becomes abusive or rude, hang up immediately and report the incident to your local police. Typically these operations focus on specific regions and while you may only have contact with them once, hundreds or thousands of people in your area may have had similar encounters. The only way law enforcement agencies can intervene is if they have enough information to warrant action.

If contacted be email, you should approach it with a high level of skepticism. It is a safe assumption that nearly 99.9% of all charity email solicitations are fraudulent. This is not to say legitimate organizations will not contact you via email, but they will rarely if ever contact an individual who has never made a previous donation. This is especially true for "thank-you" or "follow-up" emails you may receive. If you don't recall making a donation to that organization, do not respond to the email.

Always ask how your donation will be used. Don't be afraid to ask pointed questions. If they are a legitimate organization, they will understand your apprehension and do what they can to give you as much information as possible.
t is great to be charitable. Just be careful.