Beware of scams when giving to Haiti
January 19, 2010 by admin
Filed under Community Outreach
In the aftermath of this week’s massive earthquake in Haiti, Florida’s Consumer Services top dog warns residents to beware of scams.
“You need to make sure that the donations you are planning to make go to legitimate organizations that will benefit Haiti, and not to con artists who undoubtedly will try to exploit the tragedy by lining their own pockets with your donations,” Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson said in a news release.
Like filthy roaches, these con artists scurry from their hiding places into the light of day, at the first mention of a catastophic event or natural diaster.
No scams have yet popped up, but given past experience, it’s probably only a matter of time.
Among approaches that the Commissioner recommends is giving to well-known organizations, including the American Red Cross, United Way and the Salvation Army among many others. If citizens are contemplating making a contribution to an organization with which they are unfamiliar (which includes ANY charity for ANY cause), Bronson encourages that they contact his Consumer Services Division at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) to make sure that the organization is registered with the state as a charity and to check its complaint history.
Contact Consumer Services at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) to make sure that the organization asking you for donations for Haiti is registered with the state of Florida as a charity and to check its complaint history.
You can also go to the state’s website to determine an organization’s registration status by looking at the Gift Givers Guide http://app1.800helpfla.com/giftgiversguide/. The same site also has a link for filing an online complaint at http://www.800helpfla.com/complnt.html.
“Don’t be tricked into giving money to a person or organization with which you are not familiar,” Bronson said.
Palmetto Bay residents – we urge you to do your homework and make sure that your contribution is going to the people that you want to help.
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