CrimeZilla.com Warns Consumers About New and Sneaky Charity Scams

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) October 14, 2009 -- CrimeZilla.com Warns Consumers About New and Sneaky Charity Scams

In the United States, as well as worldwide, there have been deadly and heartbreaking natural disasters. Recently there were, for instance, horrific wildfires in California, powerful earthquakes near Samoa and even a roaring typhoon that hit Southeast Asia.

Given these dire circumstances, it would be hard to believe that anyone would be so cold-hearted as to take improper advantage of these awful conditions for their own person financial gain.

Sadly, it is reported that criminal thugs are stealing funds from generous folks who think they are donating to legit charities that are assisting the hard-hit victims of these and other disasters.

As such, CrimeZilla.com -- a crime news and views website -- warns consumers to use caution when donating to charities that claim to help victims of the devastating disasters.

While many legitimate groups help victims, scam artists may take advantage of the disasters by creating bogus fundraising operations. The donating public should be wary of appeals that tug at the heart strings, but are short on details about how disaster victims will benefit.

CrimeZilla.com thinks the consumer should strongly consider the charity donation tips suggested by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov including but not limited to the following ideas:

1 — Don’t be shy about asking who wants your money. Some charities hire professional fundraisers for large-scale mailings, telephone drives, and other solicitations rather than use their own staff or volunteers, and then use a portion of the donations to pay the fundraiser’s fees. If you’re solicited for a donation, ask if the caller is a paid fundraiser, who they work for, and the percentage of your donation that will go to the charity and to the fundraiser. If you don’t get a clear answer – or if you don’t like the answer you get – consider donating to a different organization.

2 — Call the charity. Find out if the organization is aware of the solicitation and has authorized the use of its name. If not, you may be dealing with a scam artist.

3 - If you think your donation was given to a fake charity or other scam artist, please contact your local law enforcement agency and call the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP for assistance.

CrimeZilla.com features news and views on essential subjects such as Mortgage Fraud, Identity Theft, School Violence, Terrorism Awareness Home Burglary, Car Theft, Lottery Scams, Missing Persons, Credit Card Fraud, Homeland Security, Emergency Preparedness, Financial Scams, Foreclosure Fraud, ATM Skimming, Email Phishing, Pickpockets, Disaster Planning, Internet Safety, as well as other crucial crime, safety and security topics.

Contact:

Bruce
Editor-in-Chief
www.CrimeZilla.com
Crime & Crime Prevention News and Views
division of Lasting Impressions Inc.
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