MADISON, Wis. — As the conversation continues surrounding refugees from Afghanistan heading to Wisconsin, we get many calls from viewers who want to help.
For those of you looking to make a donation, there are a few questions you should be asking in order to ensure that your money is going where you want it to.
A number of charities have stepped up to help Afghanistan’s citizens fight the innumerable problems they currently face. But not every opportunity to give is as it seems.
Tiffany Schultz, the Regional Director of the Southwestern Wisconsin Better Business Bureau says scammers often take advantage of situations like the one Afghanistan is currently facing. Some scam charities are sophisticated, but according to Schultz, they aren’t impossible to spot.
“Check out those charities, read on their website what they’re going to do with those funds,” said Schultz. When you are looking at websites make sure it has full contact information, email, phone number, free of typos and grammatical errors.”
She warns against using Apple Pay or Venmo to donate, saying that people are better off trusting websites that begin with “HTTPS” and have a secure lock symbol by their URLs.
“Once you give via electronic means, your money is gone.It cannot be recovered,” said Schultz.
She also recommends using credit over checks or cash.
“Giving with a credit card provides additional protection that giving with other means does not,” said Schultz.
Overall, her biggest advice is to do your research, and don’t rush.
“The need is going to be long, so you don’t need to donate immediately.”
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