Office of Attorney General Terry Goddard
***Consumer Advisory***
Terry Goddard Offers Advice on Donating to Disaster Relief Efforts
(Phoenix, Ariz. – Jan. 14, 2010) In response to this week’s massive earthquake tragedy in Haiti, many people want to help victims by donating to a charity. Unfortunately, scam artists also emerge during tragic events. Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard is advising consumers to be cautious when donating to relief efforts and offers these tips when making donations:
-- Be skeptical of anyone asking for a donation by requesting your credit card number or bank account information over the phone unless you already donate to that charity.
Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations.
-- Make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf to ensure contributions are received and used for the intended purpose.
-- Don’t be shy about asking what percentage of your donation will go directly to the charity versus administrative costs.
-- Call the Secretary of State's Office at (602) 542-4285 or visit their Web site to make sure the charity is registered with the Secretary of State. A charity that operates without such registration is violating the law and should be seen as a red flag for consumers. Be aware, however, that registration with the Secretary of State does not guarantee that all of the charity’s activities are legitimate. Several Web sites, including www.charitynavigator.org, and , provide information on the financial backgrounds of charities. These can be useful for consumers looking to research organizations they are considering for a donation.
-- Do not pay bills or invoices you have received from charities unless you know you have already made a commitment to support them.
-- Remember to ask for a receipt and a statement that the contribution is tax deductible.
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