TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s Attorney General is warning about how to help Haiti, saying though well-intentioned, a donation could end up in the wrong hands.
Dozens of organizations and individuals are coordinating relief efforts for Haiti after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake rocked the island. The violent tremors killed more than 1,900 people with another 1.2 million lives now in flux as they deal with the aftermath. These numbers are expected to grow as officials search for the missing and work to rebuild.
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With a large Haitian population in Florida, there have large-scale efforts to provide support for the Caribbean nation. Attorney General Ashley Moody is now warning Floridians to be wary of fake charities that may be posing as a group aiding in recovery efforts.
“With the aftermath of Tropical Storm Grace wreaking havoc on Haitians, some efforts to recover from the earthquake are being stalled. I encourage generous Floridians to help provide support; but watch out for fake charities trying to exploit the tragedy to steal money,” Moody said.
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The Attorney General’s office said international tragedies can attract thieves creating fake charities to make quick cash.
Floridians eager to help with the recovery efforts in Haiti should follow these tips provided by the office before donating:
- Ensure that a charity is registered by searching Charity Navigator or sticking to established, well-known organizations
- Carefully check the charity’s name and review how contributions will be used
- Do not provide banking or other personal information to unsolicited callers or in emails on behalf of a charity
- Be wary of crowdfunding campaigns created by unknown individuals
Floridians can report charity scams to the Attorney General’s Office by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM or visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.