Donating to Relief Causes…Better Business Bureau says Do Your Research

Thousands of dollars are now being donated to victims of the tornado in Oklahoma through a number of legitimate organizations including The American Red Cross. But Chelsea Mcguire with the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Washington says the scammers are also looking to get your money. She says you can run into big financial problems by following links on social media or from your e mail “with social media and e mail these days a lot of people just click and follow links thinking they are safe when they are not.” She says just use some common sense and always check out the charity you are giving to by going to the BBB website at BBB.ORG.

McGuire says here’s some simple tips that could help you when helping others.

· If you are unfamiliar with an organization, do not hesitate to ask the charity for written information about its programs and finances.

· Do not succumb to pressure to give money on the spot. A charity that can use your money today will welcome it just as much tomorrow. Watch out for appeals that bring tears to your eyes, but tell you nothing about how your donation will be used.

· Before making online donations, determine whether the charity’s website is secure and that it has a privacy policy concerning the use of your name, email address or other personal facts. (Secure sites’ addresses begin with https://.)

· When considering support for a cause-related marketing campaign, find the answers to these questions: What portion of the purchase price will benefit the charity? What is the duration of the campaign? What is the maximum or minimum total contribution? If the information is not on the item, check the organization’s website.