Chief: Beware of Charity Scams

In light of the recent tragic events in Boston and surrounding areas, several “charity sites” have sprung up claiming that they are raising money to assist the victims. While many may be legitimate, some are also fraudulent, attempting to prey on the goodness of others to raise money for their own use. To assist residents in avoiding these scam charities, the Grafton Police Department would like to offer the following information from the office of Attorney General Martha Coakley.  This and more information may be found at www.mass.gov/ago/.

Attorney General Coakley encourages Massachusetts residents to consider donating to charities and support funds in the wake of this devastating event, but also warns potential donors to protect themselves from fundraising scams claiming to benefit those affected by this tragedy. Most charities that solicit donations during this time are reputable and worthy of financial support from the public, like The One Fund Boston.  Some, however, may engage in questionable tactics or mislead the public about the use of donations.  According to reports, more than 125 website domain names relating to the Boston Marathon explosions were registered within an hour of the tragedy on Monday.

To best assure that your donation will be used for its intended purpose, the Attorney General's Office offers the following suggestions:

• If you are contributing over the Internet, make sure that the website you are visiting belongs to a legitimate, established, and registered charity, and that the website and the charity match. See if other legitimate websites will link to that website. After tragedies of this nature, there are always individuals who will use the Internet to perpetrate fraud, and you should make sure that the website you visit is operated by the charity you want to donate to.  Also, you should make sure the site is secure and will offer protection for your credit card number.
• Check to see if the charity is registered and filing with the Attorney General's Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division. Registration and filing information can be obtained online at www.mass.gov/ago/charitiesreports or by calling the division at 617-727-2200 x2101.
• Know your charity. Take the time to verify the address, phone number, contact information, and review the website and written material, when possible. Consider a charity's history, purpose, track record and reputation, and never give to a charity you know nothing about. If you have any doubts, well established charities with experience in disaster relief or organizations established with support from government agencies are generally a good choice.
• Check out websites such as Charitynavigator.org and BBB.org/charity, where you will find additional information to help you understand a large number of charities. Examine your options. Do not feel compelled to give to the first charity you come across. There are a number of established organizations already responding to the diverse needs created by the tragedy; in time there may also be legitimate, smaller charities that will emerge to focus on specific populations and communities.
• Be wary of appeals that are long on emotion. A legitimate charity will tell you how it's using your money to address this horrific disaster.
• Ask lots of questions. How much of the money goes to the charity and how much to a professional fundraiser? Ask who employs the telephone solicitor, if your contribution is tax deductible and what the charity intends to do with any excess contributions that might remain after the victims' needs are addressed.
• Beware of professional fundraisers who try to make their solicitations sound like they are coming directly from the charity itself or volunteers.
• Do not pay by cash. Pay by check, and make it out to the charity (use its full name; don't use initials), not the fundraiser. Never give your credit card number to a fundraiser over the telephone. If the fundraiser directly approaches you, ask to see identification. It is best to mail your check directly to the charity.

Individuals with inquiries or complaints about charitable solicitations should call the Attorney General's Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division at 617-727-2200 x 2101.

Anyone with questions for the Chief’s Column may submit them by mail to the Grafton Police Department, 28 Providence Road, Grafton, MA 01519.  You may also email your questions or comments to chief@graftonpolice.com. Please include an appropriate subject line, as I do not open suspicious email for obvious reasons. 

Normand A. Crepeau, Jr.

Chief of Police