Q: With all the recent natural disasters (especially the tornadoes and Midwest floods), it seems like I’m receiving more and more solicitations for charitable aid. While I want to help when I can, how can I be sure my money goes toward a genuine need? — Charlene Contribute

A: Dear Charlene: You’re obviously a kind but smart person — kind because you want to help those who’ve lost so much, but smart because you realize (unfortunately) lots of criminals devise ploys to line their own crooked pockets.

Therefore, each of us needs to be aware of and to hold fast to certain guidelines that protect our wallets so that we can donate to legitimate organizations.

According to www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com, Americans became more monetarily generous following 9/11. In particular, seniors are a prime target for charity scams. The elderly especially are even less likely to be suspicious or stingy and, on average, think more about helping the less fortunate.

Charity con men take advantage of this, showing up at the door, sending snail and e-mail appeals and asking the senior to donate money to hungry children, devastated families or whatever the cause of the day may be.

Even at an average of a few dollars per person, the door-to-door scammer easily can take in hundreds and even thousands of tax-free dollars a day, especially if he sets up a few workers and pays them off with his “earnings.”

Generally, these lawbreakers work a neighborhood or a certain area of town. (At the risk of sounding paranoid, I never open my door to anyone whom I don’t recognize.) Aside from being illegal, when frauds like this occasionally make headlines, they also make people less comfortable about contributing to legitimate charities.

It goes without saying that we never should respond to unsolicited phone calls or e-mails, regardless if the message wrings out your heartstrings.

In addition, never open any e-mail attachments, even if it claims to be from a familiar-sounding organization, as it may expose your computer to a virus. Similarly, even if you think the group is legitimate, don’t dare click on its embedded link, either. If you wish, Google the Web site address to ensure both its validity and nonprofit status, and then take a look once you’ve entered the Web address. Otherwise, just delete the entire she-bang.

Regardless of the way in which you receive requests, never, ever give out personal data. I’ve written extensively about this topic in a previous column, but it always bears mentioning. If you provide any information whatsoever, it can damage your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.

Ellen Phillips is a retired English teacher who has written two consumer-oriented books. Her Consumer Watch column appears on Saturdays in the Business section of the paper. An expanded version is at www.timesfreepress.com under Local Business. E-mail her at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com.

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