5 Tips to Avoid Ebola Charity Scams

As several Ebola cases have hit the Untied States, many people have began to worry about being exposed to the scary disease and what actions they can take to avoid contracting it. Additionally, many kind-hearted people out there want to make a difference by donating to a charity that helps fund Ebola research or aid Ebola victims. Unfortunately, there are those who see this as a great business opportunity. The increasing Ebola cases in the United States has lead some con artists to start fake fundraisers in order to rip people with good intentions off. One article from USA Today points out that exposing yourself to some of these online Ebola scams can make you fall victim to hackers or identity thieves by handing out your personal information to these scammers. Here are five tips in order to avoid Ebola charity scams.

Donate to Trustworthy Charities

It is recommended that you donate to an Ebola aid charity that you know and trust. In order to do this you must find one that has a proven track record. This means avoiding charities that have seemingly been created overnight. You can check to make sure that the charity is legitimate by looking at give.org, which is the charity reporting website of the Better Business Bureau. Keep in mind that charities that have gotten the tax-exempt status give you more opportunities to verify that they are not a scam.

Be Skeptical

It’s better to be safe than sorry. This means being very skeptical about any charity that asks for you to donate money for the Ebola cause. It’s a savvy move to ask a caller of a charity if they are paid, what percent of the total donation is given to the actual charity and who exactly they work for. If you aren’t given a clear answer or the answer you get isn’t satisfactory then it’s recommended that you look elsewhere in order to make your donation.

Don’t Give Out Personal Information

Be very careful as to who you give your personal information to, as many times the fake Ebola charities are set up to steal your identity. This means making sure that the charity is legitimate before handing out your bank account or credit card number, name, address, etc.

Be Wary When Donating Online

You should never click on any open attachment or links in an email unless you know the charity that sent it is reputable, and you know what it contains. Opening any sort of attachment from an email can cause you to get malware on your computer. Make sure that you verify the origins of an email or even text message from a charity that is soliciting money to go towards Ebola aid efforts. It is also important that you don’t just assume that a charity that posts on social media is a legitimate establishment. Make sure that you research the charity yourself before proceeding to donate money.

How Does the Charity Use Your Money?

Decide on how exactly you want your donations to be used, and ensure that your chosen charity does those specific activities. For instance, do you want to give money to patient aid, support Ebola research, aid in a certain affected country, help orphans, or provide medical supplies to doctors? It’s important to know where exactly you want your money to go. If the charity that you choose donates to multiple Ebola causes then you should consider specifying where exactly you want your gift to go. By doing this you’ll ensure that your money is used as you intended.

Finances - 30 Oct, 2014 - No Comments