Hurricane Recovery and Other Charity Scams

If you donate once, you will be bombarded with calls and letters asking you to donate again. The same group may claim it's been a year since you last gave. Or a different group may come calling claiming you've donated in the past. That's because con artists sell their sucker lists to each other.

Demand information before giving to disaster, police or fire funds.

(ABC News Photo Illustration)

Do Your Homework

Always ask fundraisers to identify themselves and ask whether they are paid solicitors. Some states require solicitors to provide this information right away.

Ask what percentage of your donation will go to professional solicitors versus what percent will go to the cause.

Find out whether your money will be used locally. If it's important to you, get that guarantee in writing.

Ask the caller for a number you can call back after you've thought about it. Again, shady groups won't want to provide this.

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Ask Elisabeth Your Consumer Questions

Better yet, ask for the name of the group and look the number up yourself.

Ask solicitors to provide detailed written information explaining how your money will be used. If the group is illegitimate, you'll never receive it and you'll have saved some money.

Keep in mind, just because a group is tax exempt (like a fraternal organization) that doesn't mean your contribution is tax deductible. Ask if it is. If so, get the group's tax ID number and make your check out to the official name of the organization, not a go-between.

Before you give, contact your local police or fire department or the police or fire union to verify whether the solicitors who approached you really are raising money for them. Try to speak to somebody other than the initial receptionist who picks up the phone.

Where to Complain

Usually local police get all fired up about con artists using their name in vain. You can also contact your state attorney general.