In the event of a disaster, you might be tempted to help out. Which charities to avoid...

Who would stoop so low as to set up a scam charity after a disaster?

Lots of people, unfortunately. It’s not unusual for scam operators to pop up and pray locally after a tragedy, and the Federal Trade Commission has some guidelines to help us avoid getting taken:

* Don’t be shy. When solicited, ask the person if they are a paid fundraiser, who they work for, and what percentage of your donation will go to the specific charity. If you don’t get a clear answer, consider donating to a different organization.

* Call the charity. Find out if the organization is aware of the solicitation and has authorized the use of its name. If not, you may be dealing with a scam artist.

* Ask for written information about the charity. This includes its full name, address, and telephone number.

* Be wary of charities that spring up overnight. This is especially true after natural disasters. Even if they mean well, they probably don’t have the infrastructure to get your donation to the affected area or people.

* Watch out for similar sounding names. Some phony charities use names that closely resemble those of respected, legitimate organizations.

* Do not send or give cash donations. Cash can be lost or stolen. For security and tax record purposes, it’s best to pay by credit card. 

* Don’t give out personal information like your credit card or bank account number unless you KNOW the charity is reputable.

* If you’re giving online, be sure the site is secure. Look for a lock icon on the browser’s status bar or a URL that begins https:.