The Shenandoah County Sheriff has received information from the state Attorney
General's Office warning that Scams and Charity Appeals are quickly Following
The Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office is
offering tips to help Shenandoah County residence avoid charity scams claiming
to benefit those affected by the massive earthquake in
As Virginians consider making donations to
charities that can assist those in
Unfortunately, scammers use disasters such as this
to set up fake charities where the money collected is pocketed by the scammer.
The Sheriff's Office encourages potential donors
to take common-sense precautions before making any contributions. There are many
legitimate organizations that provide relief to disaster victims. Always follow
these tips when considering a charitable donation:
• Only give to disaster relief charities you
know are reliable.
• Be especially cautious if you do not
initiate the contact with the charity.
• If contributing over the Internet, be sure
the Web site you are visiting belongs to the charity to which you want to
donate. Make sure the Web site is secure and offers protection of your credit
card number.
• Beware of "copy-cat" names that sound like
reputable charities. Some scammers use names that closely resemble those of
respected, legitimate organizations.
• Be cautious of charities that spring up
overnight in connection with a current event or natural disaster. They may not
have the infrastructure to get your donation to the affected area or people.
• Do not be pressured into giving.
Legitimate organizations will not expect you to contribute immediately.
• Ask for information about the charity,
including name, address and telephone number. Legitimate organizations will give
you materials about the charity’s mission, how your donation will be used, and
proof that your contribution is tax-deductible. Just because a "charity" has a
tax identification number does not mean your contribution is tax-deductible.
• Avoid cash donations. Make checks payable
to the charitable organization and not to an individual collecting a donation.
• Verify the charity’s registration with the Virginia Office of Consumer Affairs at 804-786-2042 or 1-800-552-9963
Who to Contact
You can report charitable solicitation fraud and other consumer fraud to the Sheriff's Office and we would encourage you to report the calls so we can record the types and methods the callers are using. This will help us educate Shenandoah County so no one falls victim during this disaster.
for questions: (540) 459-6100