New York Attorney General Letitia James has issued a reminder to New Yorkers to exercise caution when donating to wildfire recovery efforts. With wildfires continuing to impact New York and nearby states, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) advises vigilance against fraudulent charities that may exploit public generosity.
"As we witness the devastating impact of wildfires in New York and our neighboring states, it is inspiring to see so many New Yorkers eager to help," stated Attorney General James. "I encourage New Yorkers to support verified charities and encourage them to remain vigilant against organizations that prey on people’s generosity for personal gain."
To protect donors from potential scams, the OAG offers several recommendations. When receiving email solicitations, verify the sender by contacting the charity directly or visiting its official website. Avoid providing personal or financial information unless certain of the charity's legitimacy.
Caution is also advised when donating through social media or fundraising sites. Donors should research organizers thoroughly and only contribute to campaigns led by known individuals. Checking a platform's FAQs and Terms and Conditions can reveal any associated fees.
Attorney General James encourages contributions to familiar charities, suggesting resources like https://disasterphilanthropy.org/ for identifying active aid organizations. Most charities soliciting donations in New York must register with OAG's Charities Bureau; their financial reports are available online for review.
Donors should inquire about how their contributions will be used, ensuring they understand what programs will benefit from their donations. Newly formed organizations should be scrutinized carefully due to varying levels of experience and infrastructure.
The OAG advises verifying text-based donation methods directly with charities before contributing and recommends against cash donations, suggesting checks or online payments instead.
Lastly, donors should safeguard personal information shared via phone, text message, or online transactions by confirming the legitimacy of fundraising campaigns. Suspicious activity can be reported to the Charities Bureau at 212-416-8401.