BBB Advice on Donating by Text Message to Haiti Relief Efforts
Austin , TX - In the wake of the earthquake disaster in Haiti , many Americans are donating via text message for the first time. BBB Wise Giving Alliance advises donors that giving through text can be a safe and easy way to give, but it is important to use caution. Within days following the disaster in Haiti , it was widely reported that more than $3 million was donated through text messaging to such organizations as the Red Cross and others.
"BBB has not heard of any scams relying on text message donations so far," said Carrie A. Hurt, President and CEO of BBB serving Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas . "However, this emerging method of donating is open for exploitation by scammers."
BBB offers consumers the following tips on giving through text messages:
· Confirm the number directly with the source. Consumers should double check the advertised text code directly with the charity they wish their donation to go to if they are unsure.
· Be aware that text donations are not 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. Consumers who would like the donation to be received immediately by the charity can give online through the charity's Web site, by calling the charity directly or by sending a check in the mail.
· Review the fine print. When you give to a charity through text message, you might also be signing yourself up to receive text message updates from the charity in the future. A charity should include the details of its text campaign 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 that the solicitation isn't coming from scammers. Wise donors make sure their donations are going to charities that are best equipped to help in the relief efforts and will responsibly use the money for its intended purpose.
BBB Wise Giving Alliance has compiled a list of charities which are seeking to provide assistance in response to the earthquake in Haiti and meet BBB Standards for Charity Accountability at http://www.bbb.org/us/haiti-earthquake-relief/
For more information on giving to charities and to check the reliability of a company, visit www.bbb.org.
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An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
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