GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Tuesday is Veterans Day, and there are some things to keep in mind if you plan to donate to groups supporting those who have served.
“There are a lot of sound-alike organizations that have very similar names. So make sure that you’re donating to the charity that you intend to be,” said Susan Bach of the Better Business Bureau. “Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish which charity you’re actually donating to because the names are so similar. Know exactly the name of the charity that you want to give to.”
Not all sound-alike groups are scams – but it’s still good to know exactly where your money is going. So make sure that the organization fits your idea of what you want to give to. Do a little research on the organization if you can’t necessarily tell what the organization does just by that name alone.
Also – not all telemarketers asking for an upfront payment are going to be scammers. Some might just be trying to facilitate your donation. But if a caller is working for a fundraising organization, it’s important to know that they will likely take a large chunk of your donation as payment.
“If you get a call from a charity and they’re pressuring you to give immediately, that should raise some red flags. Reputable charities would be happy to receive your donation at any time,” Bach told WTAQ News. “Some really important questions to ask if you get a call from a telemarketer include: Is this a professional fundraising organization or am I giving directly to the charity? How much of my donation will the charity actually receive?”
A list of reputable and BBB-approved groups can be found here.
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