Several days ago, a deranged 18-year-old went to Reed Elementary School, opened fire, and took the lives of innocent children and teachers.
This inflicted grave suffering upon parents, students, classmates, school faculty members, and others within the city. It also upset the rest of the country, which has since rallied around the Uvalde community.
Many people are very eager to make donations that will help families and the people of Uvalde at large get through this challenging time.
However, during this time of crisis, there are still certain scammers and fraudsters looking to take advantage and make a quick buck.
Therefore, Americans need to be careful and make sure they’re not accidentally donating to a source that is not legitimate, according to Fox Business.
How to Avoid Getting Scammed
It’s not as difficult as one might think for a person or group to put together what appears to be a legitimate charity source and then use the word “Uvalde” to rake in donations.
However, Americans can avoid being scammed by reviewing Give.org before handing out any donations. This website is a great tool for checking to see if a charity is in line with the Standards for Charitable Accountability of the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Many people are looking for ways to help the community of Uvalde, TX. Unfortunately, after tragedies like this occur, donation scammers start looking for easy targets. Please keep these donation safety tips in mind to avoid becoming a victim of donation scams. #scamalert pic.twitter.com/Z1eJ9AlVwx
— Crime Stoppers HOU (@CrimeStopHOU) May 27, 2022
Treading carefully with crowdfunding is also advisable as well. Typically, making donations to sources that you know is best. Some crowdfunders may even claim the money they raise is going toward an established charity.
However, you can avoid any foul play by simply giving your donation directly to the established charity, rather than to an alleged middleman.
Finally, you’re going to want to be leery of any charity that argues every single penny in donations will go towards the cause at hand.
Costs associated with fundraising and administrative tasks generally have to get covered.
Getting Aid to a Community in Need
By following the strategies listed above, ensuring that any donations for Uvalde actually reach the intended source will be a lot smoother.
These tips apply to not just Uvalde donations, but other donations for various causes. There are unfortunately many people who are duped into giving money to scammers while thinking their funds will go to a good cause.
I pay my tax in charity every year
Sadly a lot of Foundations are absolute scams
Only 20% of your donation has to go to "the cause"
The other 80% can go to overheads and even "the cause" is a gray area
Best to give money directly to those that need it
— Lawrence King (@lawrencekingyo) May 27, 2022
Scams, in general, have been on the rise as online fraudsters look to take advantage in any way they can.
This is why it’s so important for the general public to have access to the necessary tools to protect themselves and the causes they actually want to give donations.
Are you on the lookout for scams as demand grows for sending donations that will help in the wake of the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas? Let us know in the comments area below if you have additional tips to steer clear of scams.
