Watch out for charity scammers following Boston tragedy

Washington state officials are warning people to watch out for scams in the wake of the tragic bombings in Boston.

“It’s unfortunate that in this time of national mourning, there are those who would exploit our compassion for their own personal gain—but we want to remind people to be careful with their money and make sure your donation helps those who really need the help,” said Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson.

Bombs that exploded at the Boston Marathon on Monday killed three and injured 170, and while many will likely jump to help those impacted, Secretary of State Kim Wyman says be cautious.

“People in Washington are so giving and so kind-hearted that their first impulse after a tragedy or natural disaster is to open their checkbooks to charities that purport to offer relief and assistance,” Wyman said. “I applaud that reaction, but people also need to use a certain amount of caution and judgment. We know that many legitimate, well-known charities with a good track record will be soliciting donations, but we also know that some unscrupulous rip-off artists will also try to cash in.”

Ferguson and Wyman offered a number of good practices to avoid giving to a phony charity. They suggest doing your homework or only making donations to organizations you know and trust. They also do not recommend paying with cash and say never to give your credit card out to a fundraiser over the phone. Checking the organizations name carefully is also important. They say many phony organizations may post a name very similar to a reputable charity. If paying by check they also recommend using the organization’s full name.

There are more tips available for safe giving at the Secretary of State’s website, so you can make sure your gift gets to those that are deserving.

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