GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- There has been an outpouring of support for the victims of the wildfires in Southern California. But the Better Business Bureau says you want to be sure any charity you donate to is trustworthy.
You can view the charity's track record on Give.org. The BBB says you should be wary of relief appeals that have vague program descriptions and don't explain what activities your support will assist. To avoid an online giving scam, don’t click on email, text, or social media links promising to connect you to a familiar charity, or posts claiming to be endorsed by celebrities. Instead, go directly to the charity’s website.
Here is more information from a BBB of Western Michigan news release:
As firefighters continue to battle the wildfires causing devastation in California, BBB has tips to help Michiganders make thoughtful donations to help victims and avoid questionable requests.
- Make Sure the Charity Is Trustworthy by Doing your Homework: Before giving, search for the charity’s report on Give.org to find out if the charity meets the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability (i.e., a BBB Accredited Charity). While disaster fundraising has not yet fully emerged for this tragedy, donors might check with the following BBB Accredited Charities to help start their selection of organizations offering help: American Red Cross, Direct Relief, GlobalGiving and Salvation Army.
- Look for Specific Fire Relief Activities in Appeals: Be wary of relief appeals that have vague program descriptions and do not explain what activities your support will assist.
- Watch Out for Click-Bait and Phishing Scams: Online giving scams tend to pop up after a disaster to take advantage of public sympathy. Don’t click on email, text, or social media links promising to connect you to a familiar charity or posts claiming to be endorsed by celebrities. Instead, go directly to the charity’s website on your own and do your research into the organization before giving.
- Review Crowdfunding Requests: Some crowdfunding sites take precautions in carefully screening, vetting, and managing postings after a disaster or tragedy. Others might not. If unsure, review the procedures described on the site and also find out about transaction fees and other specifics. GoFundMe (a BBB Accredited Business) says their crisis response team is monitoring the platform for fundraisers created to help individuals, families, and businesses affected. The platform created a centralized hub housing all verified GoFundMe pages related to these wildfires in Southern California.
- Understand the Phases of Disaster Relief: Most disasters go through three periods of activity: rescue, relief, and recovery. Each phase involves different activities and support. You can familiarize yourself with each phase on our Supporting Disaster Relief and Preparedness page.
ABOUT BBB®: BBB in Western Michigan is a nonprofit, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. BBB Serving Western Michigan serves 38 counties in the Lower Peninsula from the Indiana border to near our State's capital and north to the Mackinac Bridge. Visit BBB.org for more information.