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Attorney General McCuskey warns consumers of charity and disaster scams in wake of flooding

CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey is urging consumers to be on guard against impostors calling to solicit monetary donations to aid those affected by the deadly floods in West Virginia. 

Scammers will be working to seize the opportunity to prey on people's generosity and giving hearts, taking advantage of the disaster, as well as the expectation that there will be organizations set up to provide relief to victims, or using similar names to existing organizations. 

“The people who have been affected by this catastrophic event are in my prayers," Attorney General McCuskey said. “West Virginians are very generous – even in their own time of need – they will give whatever they can. Unfortunately, there are those who will try to take advantage of their giving spirit, so we just want people to be aware of some of the common scams to protect them and make sure their donations are actually used to help our neighbors in need." 

Those who want to give to a charity or organization should confirm it is registered with the proper state government agency. If an organization is registered in West Virginia, people can access that information through the West Virginia Secretary of State's Office. 

Consumers also can research charities online via https://www.charitynavigator.org/or https://www.guidestar.org/. 

Additional tips to keep in mind when giving to disaster relief organizations:   

• Only give to established charities or groups whose work you know and trust.
• Never feel pressured to donate immediately.
• Be suspicious of charities that ask for donations in cash, gift cards or via wire transfer.
• Consider paying by credit card, which is the safest option for security and tax purposes.
  
• Ask how much of an individual donation directly supports the relief effort.
• Never rely on a group's sympathetic sounding name or its similarity to a well-known, reputable entity.
• Be wary of unsolicited calls that thank you for donations that you do not recall making.
• Verify any local chapter is authorized to solicit funds on behalf of its parent organization.
• Go directly to a charity or organization's website instead of clicking on a link to the desired group.
• Any online contribution website should start with https://. The “s" verifies a secure connection, making it less likely for personal information to be stolen.
• Be wary of any charity refusing to detail its mission, use of donations or proof of tax deductibility.
• Keep records, including a letter confirming the charitable status of the organization, for contributions in excess of $250. 

Any West Virginian solicited to donate to a charity they think may be fraudulent can contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 800-368-8808 or file a complaint online at www.ago.wv.gov.

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