WISCONSIN — The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning Wisconsinites to watch out for fake veterans' charities over Memorial Day weekend.
With Memorial Day coming up, many people will find themselves wanting to honor those soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. To do that, many will donate to veteran charities.
However, the BBB is warning that some of these charities may be scams. They have sent out a list of recommendations that can help you determine whether a charity is real or a scam.
- Watch out for name confusion: some scammers will take the name of a real charity and switch the words around. Be alert and make sure you're donating to the charity that you want.
- Identify what they do: Do not donate to a charity simply based on their name. Make sure to look at the clear description of what they do. If you can't find one, then it is likely a scam.
- Be cautious on phone appeals: If you receive a call about donating, be sure to ask for written information regarding their charity or ask to look at their website.
- Be wary of excessive pressure: Do not get pressured into donating right on the spot. If you are being pressured, it is likely a scam. A real charity will not pressure you to make a donation. They'll accept it no matter when you donate.
- Learn how donated items will be used: Learn about how your donation will benefit the charity. According to the BBB, "sometimes the charity receives only a small portion of the resale price of the item or may have a contractual arrangement to get a flat fee for every household pick-up, no matter what the contents."
- Check outside sources before giving: Check with your state government’s charity registration agency or the BBB to ensure that your charity is registered and is legit.
To see if a charity is legitimate through the BBB, click here.
