After the tragic crash of a UPS plane in Louisville, KY, BBB has tips for those seeking to help the families of the victims.
There are reports that scammers are already targeting people in the aftermath.
BBB Wise Giving Alliance urges donors to give thoughtfully and avoid those seeking to take advantage of the generosity of others. Here are a few of BBB WGA's tips for trusted giving:
- Thoughtful giving: Visit Give.org to verify if a charity meets the BBB Standards for Charitable Accountability. Take the time to find out how the organization plans to address either immediate or long-term needs. The first request for a donation may not be the best choice. Be proactive and find trusted charities.
- Crowdfunding: Keep in mind that some crowdfunding sites take precautions in carefully screening, vetting, and managing postings, while others might not. Review the crowdfunding site to find out about posting procedures, transaction fees and other specifics. It is always safest to contribute to individuals that you personally know. If the post claims to pass collected funds to a charity, consider cutting out the middleman and visiting the charity's website directly.
- Newly-created v. established organizations: This is a personal giving choice, but an established charity will more likely have the capacity and experience to address the situation quickly and a track record that can be evaluated. A newly formed organization may be well-meaning but difficult to check out and may not be well-managed. News reports may help identify responding charities but do not guarantee that the organizations will use donations effectively.
- Online caution: Never click on links to unfamiliar charity websites or in text messages or emails. These may take you to a look-alike website where you will be asked to provide personal financial information or may download harmful malware onto your computer. Don't assume that charity recommendations on social media have already been vetted.
- Respect for victims and their families: Organizations or crowdfunding postings raising funds should get permission from the families to use either the names and/or any photographs of victims of the disaster or tragedy.