The recent conflict between Hamas militants and Israel has left thousands killed and wounded, with media reports of surprise attacks against towns in southern Israel, against a music festival, mounting numbers of hostages being reportedly taken by the terrorist group. A declaration of war from Israel have been just as deadly, with multiple counter-airstrikes being sent into Gaza, taking the lives of militants and civilians.
A surge of generosity has erupted globally, and the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance is offering tips to the charitable:
- Can the charity get to the impacted area? Not all relief organizations will be positioned to provide relief quickly. See if the charity already has a presence in Israel or Gaza.
- Could this be a social media scams? Scammers recognize the emotional motivation to help in response to emergency situations. Be wary of responding to appeals without taking the opportunity to verify the trustworthiness of the social media source or the specified charity.
- Should you send clothing and food? Local drives to collect clothing and food to send overseas may not be practical as the logistics and timing to deliver and disperse such items will be challenging. Relief organizations are better equipped to obtain what is needed, distribute it effectively and avoid duplication of effort.
- Is the charity experienced in providing emergency relief? Experienced disaster relief charities are the best bet to help deliver aid as soon as possible. New entrants may have difficulty in following through even if they have the best of intentions.
- Are you considering crowdfunding? If engaging in crowdfunding, it is safest to give to someone you personally know and trust, keeping in mind that some crowdfunding sites take measures to vet posts, others don’t. If the poster claims they will forward funds to a specified charity, consider visiting the charity’s website on your own and giving to them directly after having checked them out.
- Are you cautious about “100%” claims in appeals? Charities have fundraising and administrative expenses. If a charity promotion claims that all funds collected will be used for relief, see if there is an explanation about how they are able to do this. Even a credit card donation will have a processing fee.
To report a scam, go to BBB Scam Tracker. Learn more about how to give wisely.