Last week, disaster hit the South Pacific and now many organizations are asking people to donate to the relief effort there. Charities Manager Rebecca Sherrell gives you some tips about how to protect your donations against scammers.

Q. I want to donate to the Samoan tsunami victims – but I’ve heard some charities claiming to help are actually scams. How do I know what is legitimate and what is bogus?
Good for you for wanting to help those in need! A great place to start is the Secretary of State’s Web site – you can search for charities and paid solicitors to find out if they are indeed registered, which is the first step.  While registration does not mean that our office endorses these charities, it does provide accountability and information so you can decide if it’s the type of organization you want to support. Check our site to find more tips and questions you can ask to protect your pocketbook.  http://www.secstate.wa.gov/charities/search.aspx

Q. What is going on in the South Pacific anyway? I want to know details so I know how to help.
There is some good information on the relief effort at the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) Web site: http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=11988  . There you can find updates on federal relief efforts, as well as information about the area and general disaster assistance.

Q. I’m a little hesitant to give donations during tragedies, since it seems scammers tend to use them as opportunities to prey on consumers. Am I overreacting?
It’s important to be cautious – make sure you are diligent about checking out the charity before giving. We encourage people to be generous during times of disaster; however it’s also important to be informed givers. This way, you are maximizing your dollars to help those in need.
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Q. What are some signs that a solicitor might be a scammer?
There are several red flags. First and foremost, is the organization registered with the Secretary of State’s Office?  Is the organization willingly providing the information you need as a possible donor, or are they rude and overly pushy?   Other red flags include not providing you with contact information, not disclosing exactly what your donation will be used for, or how much of your donation will used for the charitable cause.

Q. So let’s say I am working with a legitimate charity. How can I be sure my money is going to the victims – and not just being used for a charity’s administrative fees and staff salaries?
Organizations that solicit in Washington provide financial information to the Office of Secretary of State with their annual registration. The information shows how much the group is giving to a charitable cause, fundraising costs and other expenses.  This is a great resource for you, because it will help you understand where your money is actually going. Keep in mind, however, there may be situations where administrative costs are high – so just because a group keeps some money for itself, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are “lining their pockets”.