[MILRETVET-INFO] How To Help The Earthquake Victims In Nepal (and Other Disasters)
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- Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 10:17:36 -0500
How to help the earthquake victims in Nepal
April 28, 2015
by Colleen Tressler
Consumer Education Specialist, FTC
The devastation caused by a massive earthquake in Nepal and the Katmandu Valley
region has left many people asking how they can help.
<http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0011-charity-scams>
If you're looking for a way to give, the Federal Trade Commission urges you to
do some research to ensure that your donation will go to a reputable
organization that will use the money as promised.
Urgent appeals for aid that you get in person, by phone or mail, by e-mail, on
websites, or on social networking sites may not be on the up-and-p.
Unfortunately, legitimate charities face competition from
<http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0011-charity-scams> fraudsters who
either solicit for bogus charities or aren't entirely honest about how a
so-called charity will use your contribution.
If you're asked to make a charitable donation (to this or any other such event),
consider these tips:
* Donate to charities you know and trust. You want to find a charity with
a proven track record with dealing with disasters.
* Be alert for charities that seem to have sprung up overnight in
connection with current events. "Look alike" websites resembling legitimate
charitable organizations and international aid efforts may be popping up. Check
out the charity with the <http://give.org/> Better Business Bureau's (BBB) Wise
Giving Alliance, <http://www.charitynavigator.org/> Charity Navigator,
<https://www.charitywatch.org/home> Charity Watch, or
<http://www.guidestar.org/> GuideStar.
* Designate the disaster. Charities may give the option to designate your
giving to a specific disaster. That way, you can ensure your funds are going to
disaster relief, rather than a general fund.
* Never click on links or open attachments in e-mails unless you know who
sent it and what it is. Opening attachments - even in e-mails that seem to be
from friends or family - can install
<http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0011-malware> malware on your computer.
* Don't assume that charity messages posted on social media are legitimate
or have been vetted. Research the charitable organization yourself.
* When texting to donate, first confirm the number with the source. The
charge will show up on your mobile phone bill, but be aware that text donations
are not immediate. Depending on the text message service used by the charity, it
can take as much as 90 days for the charity to receive the funds.
* Find out if the charity or fundraiser must be registered in your state
by contacting the <http://www.nasconet.org/> National Association of State
Charity Officials.
For more on the questions to ask and for a list of groups that can help you
research a charity, go to
<http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0011-charity-scams> Charity Scams.
SOURCE: Federal Trade Commission mailing list article, 28 April 2015
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