Jan 17, 2010 8:28 pm US/Pacific
Make Sure Your Donations Reach The People Of Haiti
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
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Haitian people pray during Sunday mass organized by a priest outside of the destroyed cathedral of Port-au-Prince on Jan. 17, 2010, five days after a 7.0 earthquake hit the Haitian capital.
Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images
With millions of dollars in relief aid coming to Haiti, officials estimate millions more will be siphoned off by people looking to take advantage of the tragedy.
"Often times after disasters like this, you have con artists and scam artists that come out of the woodwork."
Stanley Williams with the L.A. County District Attorney's Consumer Protection Division says people should use common sense.
"They should be wary of any entity they're not familiar with. Particularly after disasters like this to go with known charitable organizations."
Type in "Haiti Aid" on Google and there are already dozens of charities allegedly raising money using pictures of relief work and maps of the quake to try and convince you to donate to them.
On Craigslist, more solicitations from people who just posted an ad, some asking for as little as one dollar. But before you give, make them give up some information.
"Ask them if it's registered. Ask if they have a Web site and get further information and ask how much money goes to the charitable organization."
Williams says don't respond to unsolicited e-mails. Don't give money over the phone unless you check out the charity. And always ask questions about where the money's going.
"Any charity that is appropriate is going to welcome those kind of inquiries."
To make sure your money is really going to charity, you can go to
Charity Navigator. They rate the best charities – and also break down how much actually goes to help the needy, and how much may go to help the people of Haiti.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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