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              <h1 class="title">Wise giving in the wake of Hurricane Harvey</h1>
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	<div class="submitted">August 28, 2017<div class = "author" >by
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                Colleen Tressler            
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                Consumer Education Specialist, FTC            
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                <p><span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>It’s heartbreaking to see people lose their lives, homes, and businesses to the ongoing flooding in Texas. But it’s despicable when scammers exploit </span></span><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0023-weather-emergencies"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>such tragedies</span></span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span> to appeal to your sense of generosity.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>If you’re looking for a way to give, the FTC urges you to be cautious of potential </span></span><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0011-charity-scams"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>charity scams</span></span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>. Do some research to ensure that your donation will go to a reputable organization that will use the money as promised.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span><img alt="" src="/sites/www.consumer.ftc.gov/files/rotator-images/charity-scams-mini_rotator.png" style="float:right; height:124px; margin:5px; width:164px" /></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>Consider these tips when asked to give:</span></span></span></p>
<ul><li style="text-align:justify"><span><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>Donate to charities you know and trust</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span> with a proven track record with dealing with disasters.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>Be alert for charities that seem to have sprung up overnight in connection with current events.</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span> Check out the charity with the </span></span><a href="http://give.org/"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>Better Business Bureau's (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance</span></span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>, </span></span><a href="http://www.charitynavigator.org/"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>Charity Navigator</span></span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>, </span></span><a href="https://www.charitywatch.org/home"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>Charity Watch</span></span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>, or </span></span><a href="http://www.guidestar.org/"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>GuideStar</span></span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>Designate the disaster </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>so you can ensure your funds are going to disaster relief, rather than a general fund.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>Never click on links or open attachments in e-mails unless you know who sent it.</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span> You could unknowingly install </span></span><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0011-malware"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>malware</span></span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span> on your computer.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>Don’t assume that charity messages posted on social media are legitimate</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>. Research the organization yourself.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>When texting to donate, confirm the number with the source before you donate.</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span> The charge will show up on your mobile phone bill, but donations are not immediate.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>Find out if the charity or fundraiser must be registered in your state</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span> by contacting the </span></span><a href="http://www.nasconet.org/"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>National Association of State Charity Officials</span></span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>. If they should be registered, but they're not, consider donating through another charity.</span></span></span></li>
</ul><p><span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>To learn more, go to </span></span><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0011-charity-scams"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>Charity Scams</span></span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>. For tips to help you prepare for, deal with, and recover from a severe weather event, visit </span></span><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0023-weather-emergencies"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>Dealing with Weather Emergencies</span></span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span>.</span></span></span></p>
            
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<div class = "terms">Tagged with: <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/taxonomy/term/1067" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">charity</a>, <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/taxonomy/term/1676" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">disaster</a>, <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/taxonomy/term/838" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">scam</a>, <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/search-terms/weather" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">weather</a></div><div class="field field-name-field-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Blog Topics:&nbsp;</div><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/money-%26-credit" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Money &amp; Credit</a></div>	</div>

 
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          <h2 class="title">Comments</h2>
      
  <a id="comment-242734"></a>
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">rusty</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-08-28T18:43:53-04:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">August 28, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/242734">reply</a></li>
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                <p>Thank you for the warning I am sure the thieves will soon if not already come out of the woodwork .THANKS AGAIN</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">ABE</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-08-28T19:15:01-04:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">August 28, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/242764">reply</a></li>
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                <p>Again and again, over and over, the American Red Cross IS on media platforms everywhere using and abusing disasters as means to carry on the Greatest<br />
Charity Scam in American History. Do Not Respond.<br />
The American Red Cross is near-entirely a PR operations institution!!!</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">onecatmorecat</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-10-08T14:26:00-04:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">October 8, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/306284">reply</a></li>
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      <span rel="sioc:reply_of" resource="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2017/08/wise-giving-wake-hurricane-harvey" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span rel="sioc:reply_of" resource="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/242764#comment-242764" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>
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                <p>What's wrong with the red cross. I donated to them and have seen where they have helped 100s thousands???</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">wisernow</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-11-18T17:40:46-05:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">November 18, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/337914">reply</a></li>
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                <p>I was told that way too much money goes to exorbitant salaries and administrative costs and very little where it is needed.</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">anon</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-11-27T14:52:31-05:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">November 27, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/343574">reply</a></li>
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                <p>It&#039;s probably an impersonation of them. Note the IS at the end of the name.</p>
<p>The actual red cross does do good things. Just be careful where you donate to.</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">anon</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-11-27T14:53:44-05:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">November 27, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/343584">reply</a></li>
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                <p>oh wait, there is no IS at the end. it&#039;s the actual word is. My bad haha.</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">Alan</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-08-29T10:16:30-04:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">August 29, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/243324">reply</a></li>
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                <p>I will not give any money based on unsolicited calls to me. I do not really know who they are and events such as this bring out the scammers in force. The only way I know of to stay safe is not to give based on these types of calls. Sad but this is the world we live in today.</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">John_F</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-08-30T13:13:50-04:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">August 30, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/244684">reply</a></li>
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                <p>Minnesota has the Charity Review Council that has established standards that must be met.</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">Johnny B</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-08-30T13:23:34-04:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">August 30, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/244704">reply</a></li>
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                <p>Just a reminder</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">uthinkuknow</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-08-30T14:42:33-04:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">August 30, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/244774">reply</a></li>
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                <p>Ask how much of your donation dollars go to the victims needs. How much goes to staff salaries?</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">cgypsy</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-09-01T21:51:32-04:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">September 1, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/247114">reply</a></li>
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                <p>Walmart in Blaine, Mn. is matching donations given by customers.  I donated $2 and they matched equals $4.  Does that all go to the Houstan people?</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">marcyedube</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-08-30T20:09:02-04:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">August 30, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/245164">reply</a></li>
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                <p>great info</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">david</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-08-31T09:58:00-04:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">August 31, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/245484">reply</a></li>
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                <p>You can also view the charity&#039;s Form 990 on GuideStar. If the nonprofit&#039;s management expenses approximately equal the nonprofit&#039;s cash donations, then this is a cautionary flag. If the nonprofit&#039;s amounts paid to beneficiaries far exceeds the nonprofit&#039;s non-cash donations, then this is a good flag.</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">patdances</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-08-31T16:52:25-04:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">August 31, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/245914">reply</a></li>
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                <p>To check on charities online, Charity Navigator.org  is a very good site.</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">barb</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-09-03T16:45:42-04:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">September 3, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/248034">reply</a></li>
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                <p>Beware of the listed places said to provide information other than Charity Navigator.org. The other sites tease you to sign up, then IF you want the info they say they provide, you must pay for it. A scam about scams.</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">TooSad</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-09-05T18:59:34-04:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">September 5, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/249844">reply</a></li>
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                <p>Too sad that people use tradegy to extort money from people.  There will always be this type of people which makes it hard to tell which ones are great and to donate too.</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">Crotalus</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-09-07T15:54:04-04:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">September 7, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/251494">reply</a></li>
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                <p>In decades past, phone solicitation was a most efficient way for charities to solicit money, especially for disasters.  </p>
<p>In the last decade or so, scammers have totally ruined phone solicitation as a secure way of asking for money, so it surprises me that any charities even attempt this tactic anymore.  </p>
<p>I reached the point over 15 years ago of not trusting any unknown called ID, no matter how familiar sounding the name.</p>
<p>I know GoFundMe type sites have also become popular, but they are too hard to validate if you are outside the area of the requesting person/company.</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">Drlollipop</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-09-08T19:38:00-04:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">September 8, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/255134">reply</a></li>
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                <p>Excellent Information Thanks</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">Suzieque63</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-09-11T15:41:39-04:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">September 11, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/264064">reply</a></li>
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                <p>Sorry to say after being hacked and spied on for 2 years and very important emails stolen and could have helped us not loose our home I really don&#039;t even trust what I&#039;m reading right now !! Thanks you no who!</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">wisernow</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-11-18T17:38:39-05:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">November 18, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/337904">reply</a></li>
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                <p>I was told way too much money goes to exorbitant salaries and administration and very little to actual needy people at Red Cross.</p>
            
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    <span class="submitted"><span class = "username"><span rel="sioc:has_creator">david</span></span> | <span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2017-12-12T10:24:48-05:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime">December 12, 2017</span> 	    <div class="links"> | <ul class="links inline"><li class="comment-reply first last"><a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/comment/reply/5824/356144">reply</a></li>
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                <p>great blog and thanks for</p>
            
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