Massachusetts Attorney General offers advice to help ensure your donations get to the right place
News release from the Office of Attorney General Martha Coakley
In response to the
Boston Marathon attack, Attorney General Martha Coakley and the Massachusetts
Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) are providing information about the
resources, services and financial support available to victims of the marathon
bombing.
MOVA and the AG’s
Office have provided several links on their websites to the many services
available to those affected by this tragic event. Both are working
together to coordinate with federal, state, and local providers to ensure
consistent information about the growing resources that are available to
victims. Those resources can be found on their websites at www.mass.gov/mova and
at www.mass.gov/ago.
The Victim
Compensation Fund, administered by the AG’s Office, assists eligible victims
and their families with expenses that are not covered by other funding sources.
The Attorney General's Victim Compensation & Assistance Division is able,
by statute, to provide financial assistance to eligible victims of violent
crime for uninsured medical and dental care, mental health counseling, funeral
and burial costs, and loss of income or financial support as a result of
crime-related injury.
The AG's Victim Compensation & Assistance Division is
funded largely by fines levied against perpetrators of crime. More information
can be found at www.mass.gov/ago/victimcompensation or by
calling the Division’s Duty Line at 617-727-2200, ext. 2160.
Tips to Giving Wisely After Marathon Attack
After the attack on
spectators and runners during the Boston Marathon, Attorney General Martha
Coakley is encouraging people to give wisely to charities by gathering
information about an organization before making contributions.
AG Coakley encourages
Massachusetts residents to consider donating to charities and support funds in
the wake of this devastating event, but also warns potential donors to protect
themselves from fundraising scams claiming to benefit those affected by this
week's tragedy. Most charities that solicit donations during this time are
reputable and worthy of financial support from the public, like The OneFund Boston.
Some, however, may engage in questionable tactics or
mislead the public about the use of donations. According to reports, more than
125 website domain names relating to the Boston Marathon explosions were
registered within an hour of the tragedy on Monday.
“After the
unconscionable attack at the Boston Marathon, there has been an outpouring of
support from people who want to help,” AG Coakley said. “We urge people from
Massachusetts and across the country to continue to support the victims and
those impacted by this horrific event. We also encourage people to do their
homework on the charity before giving to ensure their money will go to the
purpose they intend.”
“Our office received
reports just this morning that a mere four hours after the attack at the
marathon, over 125 domain names were registered to collect money for the
victims and several fraudulent twitter accounts were opened asking for money as
well,” said Undersecretary of Consumer Affairs Barbra Anthony. “It is
unspeakable that anyone would sink to capitalize on Boston’s sorrow as we
recover from this tragedy. We remind consumers to exercise caution and do their
homework before reaching out to help.”
To best assure that
your donation will be used for its intended purpose, the Attorney General's
Office offers the following suggestions:
- If you are contributing over the Internet, make sure that the website you are visiting belongs to a legitimate, established, and registered charity, and that the website and the charity match. See if other legitimate websites will link to that website. After tragedies of this nature, there are always individuals who will use the Internet to perpetrate fraud, and you should make sure that the website you visit is operated by the charity you want to donate to. Also, you should make sure the site is secure and will offer protection for your credit card number.
- Check to see if the charity is registered and filing with the Attorney General's Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division. Registration and filing information can be obtained online at www.mass.gov/ago/charitiesreports or by calling the division at 617-727-2200 x2101.
- Know your charity. Take the time to verify the address, phone number, contact information, and review the website and written material, when possible. Consider a charity's history, purpose, track record and reputation, and never give to a charity you know nothing about. If you have any doubts, well established charities with experience in disaster relief or organizations established with support from government agencies are generally a good choice.
- Check out websites such as Charitynavigator.org and BBB.org/charity, where you will find additional information to help you understand a large number of charities. Examine your options. Do not feel compelled to give to the first charity you come across. There are a number of established organizations already responding to the diverse needs created by the tragedy; in time there may also be legitimate, smaller charities that will emerge to focus on specific populations and communities.
- Be wary of appeals that are long on emotion. A legitimate charity will tell you how it's using your money to address this horrific disaster.
- Ask lots of questions. How much of the money goes to the charity and how much to a professional fundraiser? Ask who employs the telephone solicitor, if your contribution is tax deductible and what the charity intends to do with any excess contributions that might remain after the victims' needs are addressed.
- Beware of professional fundraisers who try to make their solicitations sound like they are coming directly from the charity itself or volunteers.
- Do not pay by cash. Pay by check, and make it out to the charity (use its full name; don't use initials), not the fundraiser. Never give your credit card number to a fundraiser over the telephone. If the fundraiser directly approaches you, ask to see identification. It is best to mail your check directly to the charity.
Individuals with
inquiries or complaints about charitable solicitations should call the Attorney
General's Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division at 617-727-2200
x2101, access the complaint form online, or write to:
Office of the Attorney
General
Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108