The images coming from the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Helene have been devastating, and many in our community want to donate funds that will help those with the greatest needs. It’s important to do your research and resist pressure to give on the spot.
In times of crisis, scammers often create fraudulent charity campaigns to exploit people with giving hearts. We urge donors to give thoughtfully and avoid those seeking to take advantage of the generosity of others.
To ensure donations reach legitimate organizations, your BBB and BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance offer the following tips and list of trusted places to donate safely.
— Thoughtful giving. Visit give.org to verify if a charity meets the BBB standards for charitable accountability. Take the time to find out how the organization plans to address either immediate or long-term needs. The first request for a donation may not be the best choice. Be proactive and find trusted charities.
— Crowdfunding. Keep in mind that some crowdfunding sites take precautions in carefully screening, vetting and managing postings, while others might not. Review the crowdfunding site to find out about posting procedures, transaction fees and other specifics. It is always safest to contribute to individuals that you personally know. If the post claims to pass collected funds to a charity, consider cutting out the middleman and visiting the charity’s website directly.