Attorney General Urges Donors to Watch Out for Scams

The following was taken from an advisory issued by the Office of the Attorney General issued after the Boston Marathon bombings. 

Attorney General Martha Coakley reminded those who want to give to support victims of the Boston Marathon attacks to do their homework first to ensure the charity is reputable.

More than 125 website domain names relating to the Boston Marathon explosions were registered within a few hours of the attacks Monday, according to Consumer Affairs Undersecretary Barbra Anthony.

Fraudulent websites have popped up in the aftermath of other national tragedies, including the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in Newtown.

Coakley warned would-be donors to protect themselves from fundraising scams by making sure any websites they visit match a registered charity and to beware of professional fundraisers who try to make their solicitations sound like they are coming directly from the charity itself or volunteers.

Coakley's office offered a handful of tips when deciding on a charity:

• Get to know the charity by taking time to verify the address, phone number, and contact information
• Review the website and written material
• Consider the charity's history, when possible
• Be wary of appeals that are "long on emotion," a legitimate charity will tell donors how it's using the money after a disaster

Finally, do not pay cash and never give a credit card number to a fundraiser over the phone.

For more information, visit Charitynavigator.org and BBB.org/charity for more information on a particular charity.