State AG gives advice on supporting WA fire victims
Looking for ways your family can support families impacted by devastating wildfires in the Spokane area and other parts of the state? Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown has some advice: “Take precautions to ensure donations go to reputable charities,” the office said in a advisory this week.
“The destruction in Spokane is heartbreaking, and generous people across our state want to help,” Attorney General Nick Brown said in the statement. “It’s important to give safely to ensure your hard-earned money is helping those in need.”
The best way to support families is to donate to the City of Spokane directly. Spokane’s H.O.M.E. Starts Here Fund is currently accepting donations to assist those affected by the recent wildfires.
If you are giving to non-profits or charities, the Attorney General’s office has tips for how to ensure your donation will really benefit the people you hope to help, including how to research a charity, how to deal with high-pressure tactics and why QR code giving can be suspect. Here’s the AG’s advice, taken from an emailed statement:
- Research before giving. Charities must register with the Secretary of State’s office. A charity’s registration is not an endorsement by the Secretary of State, but the registration can be used to find basic information, including the organization’s location and what percentage it spends on its charitable purpose.
- High-pressure tactics are a red flag. Treat high-pressure asks for immediate donations or ones that request sensitive personal information with caution. They may be a scam.
Watch out for imposters. Fraudulent organizations may use names that closely resemble those of well-established charitable organizations to mislead donors. Look out for fraudulent websites that have a slightly different web address than that of a legitimate charitable organization. - Use caution with QR codes. QR codes are a quick way to visit a website or app, but scammers can use them to send you to fake fundraisers or malicious websites. Only scan QR codes from trusted sources or known senders. Always verify the URL displayed on your screen before clicking on it and make sure it starts with “https.”
Crowdfunding is a popular way for families and victims to raise money for their independent or group needs. Here’s what the Washington Attorney General said in his advisory about donors should keep in mind regarding crowdfunding appeals:
- When giving via crowdfunding websites, remember that donations go to the fundraiser’s organizer first. The organizer controls the funds and determines when and who will receive them.
- Donations to individuals are not regulated like charities. The organizers usually don’t register with the Secretary of State or report the amount they raised or how they spent it. Additionally, donations to individuals are not tax deductible.
- If you choose to give through crowdfunding sites:
- Do some research about the fundraiser’s organizer before you give. Even a simple web search can provide important information.
- If the fundraiser is for a named charity, consider giving directly to that charity so you can be sure your gift gets where you intended.
- Use your own critical thinking skills to consider whether the fundraiser’s pitch makes sense.
Get more in-depth information and tips for protecting your gift and making sure it gets to those who need it on the Washington Attorney General website..
Sadly, in times of crisis, predatory and criminal behavior happens. Does something sound fishy in an ask you received in an email or via a phone call? If you are suspicious of a fundraiser or solicitation for which proceeds are said to be going to fire victims, report it to the Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Division via the agency’s form.
