Statewide Iowa — Iowans who want to donate to Ukrainian relief efforts need to make sure those donations are actually going to help people in need and not to a crook. AARP Iowa state director Brad Anderson says when it comes to fraud, vigilance is our number-one weapon.
First, Anderson says to be wary of how you’re being asked to donate.
Sending cash or a personal check in the mail is a potentially risky venture, but Anderson says using plastic can be iffy, too, so choose your payment option wisely.
Some charities might spend more money paying their executives than on the cause they claim to support. Anderson suggests plugging the charity’s name into one of two websites: Give.org or CharityWatch.org.
Bogus charities often use names similar to existing charities to legitimize themselves, so double-check before you double-click.
