BEWARE OF BOGUS CHARITIES

TWO LOCAL CON ARTISTS HAVE COME TO THE ATTENTION OF THE NEW ORLEANS BBB SERVING SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA. THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE USING AUTHENTIC NAMES AND ORGANIZATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHARITY ANIMAL HOSPITAL AND OTHER ANIMAL ADVOCACY GROUPS TO FOOL THE PUBLIC. MANY HAVE ALREADY BEEN SCAMMED. HOPEFULLY THIS NEWS RELEASE WILL STOP THESE CON ARTISTS IN THEIR TRACKS.

UNFORTUNATELY, AS IS THE CASE IN ANY REAL CAUSE THERE ARE THOSE UNSCRUPULOUS OPERATORS WHO SEEK TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SUCH GENEROSITY. HERE ARE SOME TIPS THAT WILL HELP TO ENSURE THAT YOUR DONATIONS REACH THEIR INTENDED RECIPIENTS:

THE EASIEST WAY TO AVOID A CHARITY SCAM IS TO ASK QUESTIONS. IF YOU ARE SOLICITED BY TELEPHONE, ASK THE NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION, THE ADDRESS, THE TELEPHONE NUMBER AND THE CALLER'S NAME. ASK THE CALLER TO SEND YOU INFORMATION ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION IN THE MAIL. IF THESE SOLICITORS COME TO YOUR FRONT DOOR, BY NO MEANS LET THEM IN YOUR HOUSE.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF ANIMALS THE SCAM OPERATORS MAY PLEAD FOR AN IMMEDIATE DONATION. A LEGITIMATE ORGANIZATION WILL WELCOME YOUR CHECK LATER AS WELL AS TODAY.

UNLESS YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE ORGANIZATION OR INDIVIDUAL SOLICITOR, MAKE ALL DONATIONS BY CHECK RATHER THAN CASH AND MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO THE ORGANIZATION, NOT THE INDIVIDUAL SOLICITOR.

BEWARE OF APPEALS THAT ARE VAGUE. MANY SOLICITORS MAY PAINT AN EMOTIONALLY, TRAGIC PICTURE, BUT FALL SHORT IN DESCRIBING EXACTLY WHAT THE ORGANIZATION IS DOING TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM. IF THE APPEAL IS FOR AN ANIMAL SHELTER, ASK WHERE THE SHELTER IS LOCATED.

ASK WHETHER THE SOLICITOR IS A PROFESSIONAL FUNDRAISER. IF SO, ASK WHAT PORTION OF YOUR DONATION WILL GO TO THE ORGANIZATION INVOLVED. MANY PROFESSIONAL FUNDRAISERS ARE KNOWN TO KEEP AS MUCH AS 90% OR THE FUNDS COLLECTED.

ASK HOW LONG AN ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN IN OPERATION. BE WARY OF ORGANIZATIONS WHICH WERE BEGUN ONLY RECENTLY AND HAVE NO TRACK RECORD BY WHICH TO GAUGE PERFORMANCE.

THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU EVALUATES ORGANIZATIONS WHICH ARE SOLICITING LOCALLY. THE BUREAU HAS INFORMATION ON BOTH LOCAL AND OUT OF STATE ORGANIZATIONS. YOU MAY CHECK WHETHER OR NOT AN ORGANIZATION MEETS BBB STANDARDS BY CALLING 581-6222.

IF YOU ARE SUSPICIOUS OF A SPECIFIC APPEAL, PLEASE CALL THE BBB. IF NO INFORMATION IS IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE THE BUREAU WILL ATTEMPT TO DEVELOP A REPORT.

WHEN IN DOUBT, CHECK IT OUT!!!! CALL YOUR BBB @ 581-6222