Beware of Charity Scam

Not long after the Tsunami devastated south Asia the Better Business
Bureau (BBB) began receiving numerous complaints of charity scams
carried out in several ways. Although the BBB hasn't received any
complaints of charity scams connected with the relief efforts for the
victims of Hurricane Katrina, they say it will happen. That's why they're
warning Americans about donating to just anyone.

Charities like the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross have done
a great job of providing help to victims of past disasters and it is expected
that will happen again. But if you would like to support another charity,
check on them first.

The best places to check on these charities and how effectively they
spend their collection money are these two useful websites:

CharityNavigator.org which ranks some 35 hundred charities with zero
to four stars depending on how well they spend donations.

Give.org is a useful website from the Better Business Bureau and offers
guidance to donors on making informed giving decisions through their
charity evaluations, various "tips" publications, and publishes the quarterly
Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide .