BBB Advice On Donating By Text Message To Haiti Relief Efforts

Within days following the Haiti disaster, it was widely reported more than $3 million was donated through text message to such organizations as the Red Cross and others.

"It’s encouraging people are making small donations through text messages," said John North, BBB president and CEO. "An incredible amount of money will be needed to address the crisis in Haiti and charities will certainly welcome gifts made through any means available. However, donors should still do their due diligence to make sure their money is going to trustworthy charities."

Your BBB offers the following tips on giving through text messages:

• Confirm the number directly with the source. While your BBB hasn’t yet heard of any scams related to text message donations, this emerging method is ripe for exploitation by scammers.
• Be aware text donations aren’t immediate. Depending on the text message service used by the charity, text donations can take anywhere from 30-90 days to be transferred to the designated charity. If you’d like the charity to receive your donation immediately, give online through its Web site, by calling the charity directly or mailing a check.
• Review the fine print. When giving to a charity through text message, you might also be signing yourself up to receive future text message updates from the charity. A charity should include text campaign details on its Web site so you can see what you’re signing up for and how you can opt out.
• Research the charity. Giving wisely to a charity isn’t just about making sure the solicitation isn’t coming from scammers. Wise donors make sure their donations are going to charities best equipped to help in the relief efforts and will responsibly use the money for its intended purpose.

Your BBB has compiled a list of charities seeking to provide assistance to the Haiti earthquake that meet BBB Standards for Charity Accountability at www.bbb.org/us/haiti-earthquake-relief/. Contact your BBB for more information on charitable appeals. Visit www.bbb.org or call (937) 222-5825 or (800) 776-5301.

Your BBB is an unbiased nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses earning BBB Accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. Your BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability Reports^TM and charity BBB Wise Giving Reports^TM and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, your BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is difference in viewpoints. The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 126 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring nearly 4 million local and national businesses and charities. Your BBB serving Dayton and the Miami Valley serves Montgomery, Greene, Clark, Darke, Miami, Preble, Shelby and northern Warren counties. Please visit www.bbb.org for more information about your BBB.

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