FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Todd Hallidy
Phone: (302) 577-8314
Date: September 13, 2001
 

A.G. BRADY WARNS 'SCAMS POSSIBLE IN WAKE OF ATTACK'

(Wilmington, DE) - Delaware Attorney General M. Jane Brady today warned citizens to be wary of charitable solicitations that may surface in the aftermath of this week's attack on the United States.

"It is heart-warming that so many American citizens are so eager to do something positive to help during this emergency. Unfortunately, there is a risk that some could fall prey to con artists claiming to represent charities," Brady noted. Although the Consumer Protection Office at the Delaware Department of Justice has not received any complaints of such activity, there have been anecdotal reports of possible scams in other states.

Many charitable solicitations are often made in the wake of national emergencies and disasters. While many of these solicitations are legitimate, individuals wishing to open their hearts and their pocketbooks for emergency relief efforts victims should always take precautions to ensure they are dealing with legitimate charities:

• Beware of sound-alike charity names. Some con artists use names which sound like legitimate charities, but really aren't.

 
• Examine your options instead of giving to the first charity from which you receive an appeal. Ask for information on the charity in writing. There will be a variety of relief efforts responding to the diverse needs of victims.

 
• Beware if you see a Delaware address with a "PMB" designation. This may indicate a mail drop is being used and you hard-earned money is going out to an unknown address out of state.

 
• Be wary of appeals that are long on emotion but short on what the charity will do to address the emergency. The more pressure they put on you, the more likely it is that you are dealing with a con artist.

 
• Ask how much of your gift would be used for actual relief, and how much would go towards administrative and fund raising costs. Any charity which refuses to give you this information is probably not legitimate.

 
• Find out what the charity intends to do with any excess contributions remaining after the victims' needs are addressed.

 
• Remember there will be opportunities to give in the future. The problems caused by any disaster don't disappear after the headlines do.

• The Better Business Bureau can tell you if the charity is a member. Be wary when dealing with nonmembers.