GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — When disasters like Hurricane Michael hit, scammers see an opportunity to prey upon generosity.
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That’s why the Better Business Bureau Serving Western Michigan is sharing the following steps to ensure your donations end up where they should:
- Donate to experienced disaster relief organizations. These groups have tried and true infrastructure to help those impacted by a storm. Be cautious about new groups and those that are vague about their mission.
- Be wary of crowdfunding. If you decide to donate this way, opt for crowdfunding pages set up by people you personally know. Always check the terms and conditions of a crowdfunding site to see how your money is allocated.
- Seek out BBB accredited charities. You can verify charities by checking out their accountability reports on Give.org.