Watch out for Fake Veterans’ Charities this Memorial Day
Milwaukee, Wis. – Memorial Day reminds us to honor and mourn for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. To show respect for this federal holiday, some will choose to contribute to charities that address a variety of issues and needs facing veterans, military service members and/or their families. BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers the following advice to help donors make wise giving decisions to such organizations:
- Watch Out for Name Confusion. Some veterans charities include the same words in a different order or slightly different form. So, be alert and make sure the organization you are considering is the one you want to support.
- Identify What They Do. Don’t assume what the veterans organization does based on their name alone. Look for a clear description of the organization’s programs in its appeals and on its website.
- Be Cautious on Phone Appeals. If not managed properly, some telemarketing campaigns for veterans organizations can be an expensive way to raise funds with very little going to the organization. If called, do not hesitate to ask for written information or visit the group’s website to find out about its programs and finances before making a giving decision.
- Be Wary of Excessive Pressure. Don’t be pressured to make an immediate on-the-spot donation to a veterans organization. Charities will welcome your gift whenever you want to send it.
- Learn How Donated Items Will Be Used. Find out how the charity benefits from the collection and resale of used clothing and other in-kind gifts. Sometimes the charity receives only a small portion of the resale price of the item or may have a contractual arrangement to get a flat fee for every household pick-up, no matter what the contents.
- Check Outside Sources Before Giving: In addition to charity reports on BBB’s Give.org, check with your state government’s charity registration agency, usually a division of either the Attorney General’s office or Secretary of State’s office.
The following organizations meet all 20 of the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability (i.e., BBB Accredited Charities.) See the reports in the respective links.
America’s Vet Dogs – The Veteran’s K-9 Cops
Armed Services YMCA of the USA
Boulder Crest Retreat Foundation
Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation
Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes Foundation
Corporate America Supports You
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
Military Spouse Corporate Career Network
Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home for Children
Wounded Warrior Family Support
For more information or further inquiries, contact the Wisconsin BBB at www.bbb.org/wisconsin, 414-847-6000 or 1-800-273-1002. Consumers also can find more information about how to protect themselves from scams by following the Wisconsin BBB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
ABOUT BBB: For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2019, people turned to BBB more than 183 million times for BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.8 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at bbb.org. There are local, independent BBBs across the United States, Canada and Mexico, including BBB Serving Wisconsin which was founded in 1939 and serves the state of Wisconsin.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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