BBB: Beware Sandy Hook charity scams

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The murder of 26 people at a Connecticut elementary school sparked an outpouring of support nationwide, but now there's a warning for those who want to help the victims ' families.

The Better Business Bureau of West Michigan is alerting consumers after reports of phony charity solicitations, supposedly on behalf of the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School victims.

Phil Catlett, president of the Western Michigan BBB, said fake charity websites also popped up after Superstorm Sandy, and that scam charities are common after tragedies.

According to Sans Security -- an Internet watchdog company -- more than 1,000 Internet domain sites with the words "Sandy" or "relief" were registered either as the storm was approaching or before it even hit.

"Really? Have you no shame? Is there anything you wouldn't do in order to rip people off? That's how I feel about it," Catlett said.
 
He said there are ways to avoid giving your well-meant donation to a scam.
 
"If you get something that really touches you and you want to give, don't click right through to that email or that text on your phone, but instead go through the organization," said Catlett.
 
The safe thing to do is look the charity up through a search engine and go directly through its website so you know you're getting the real one.

Anyone wishing to donate the families affected by the Sandy Hook shooting can also go to the United Way of Western Connecticut, which has launched a fundraiser, according to WOOD TV8's sister station WTNH in New Haven, CT.

For more details, visit https://newtown.uwwesternct.org/ or call 800.461.0672.