The Pennsylvania Attorney General is offering advice for people that want to donate to worthy causes amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict. The tips are being offered to prevent people from becoming victims of scammers and ill-intentioned solicitors.
In a statement from her office, Attorney General Michelle Henry said that while Pennsylvanians are free to support whatever organization they want, there are ways to make sure the money reaches the intended recipients. She advises that people ask questions of the charity, as reputable organizations will be able to give you full details on where the money goes.
People can also double-check with the IRS or the Pennsylvania Department of State registries to see if they are a registered charity and if donations are tax deductible. Other places to check include Charitywatch.org to see if they put the money more towards administrative costs instead of the purpose donors are asked to support.
And people are being asked to be careful how they pay. Credit cards are the best, and avoid using cryptocurrencies. And scammers may try to pressure you to make a donation. The best thing to do in that situation is to remain calm.
If you feel you have become a victim of the scam, call the AG’s Bureau of consumer protection at 1-800-441-2555 or log on to attorneygeneral.gov/scams.
To access the IRS database, click here. And to access the PA Department of State Database, click here.
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