The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs today reminded consumers to “Investigate Before You Donate,” and avoid fraudulent charitable solicitations, when seeking to donate for victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal this week.
The Division is paying close attention to online solicitations related to the earthquake in Nepal, and has noted dozens of new web domain names, mentioning “Nepal” and terms such as “earthquake,” “donate,” “relief,” or similar terms, that were registered during the past few days.
The Division offers the following tips for New Jerseyans who seek to donate for victims of the earthquake that struck Nepal:
Give to charities you know and trust. Never give to a charity you know nothing about. If a charity is new, that doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t donate – but learn as much as possible before you decide to entrust the organization with your money.
Learn about the charity’s stated mission, and find out how, exactly it plans to use your money. Ask for literature and read it. Honest charities encourage you to ask questions.
Contact Consumer Affairs’ Charities Hotline at 973-504-6215 or www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov/charity/chardir.htm to learn about specific charities. You can confirm whether a charity is registered or is exempt from registration requirements. (Certain religious or educational organizations, and those that raise less than $10,000 in a calendar year, are exempt from the registration requirement).
The Division’s website will also show the charity’s most recently reported financial information – including the amount of the charity’s annual expenses that went to actual charitable programs, as opposed to fundraising or management expenses.
Don’t be fooled by a convincing name or professional-looking website. Dishonest charities may use impressive names, or names that closely resemble those of respected, legitimate organizations.
Don’t succumb to pressure. Don’t let yourself be pressured into giving, and don’t feel you have to contribute on the spot. No legitimate organization will expect you to contribute immediately, even if you have given in the past. Ask if the charity uses a professional fundraiser and, if so, what percentage of your contribution will actually go toward relief efforts and how much will be used to pay the fundraiser.
Beware of unsolicited and phony email notices that claim to be from a charity asking for your credit card information. This scam is called “phishing” and could be used by thieves to commit identity theft. If the charity is unfamiliar to you, check whether the group is registered with Consumer Affairs’ Charities Section. If the organization is registered or you know the organization, call directly to find out if the email notice is valid.
Consumers may obtain information about a charity in several ways. They can ask the charity itself (reputable charities encourage you to do so), or visit the charity's website.
Consumers can also obtain this information from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Visit the Division's Charities Registration page; call the Division's Charities Hotline at 973-504-6215 during regular business hours; or use the Division's free "New Jersey Charity Search" smartphone app.
Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file an online complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504- 6200.