Texas Attorney General Issues Consumer Alert on Charitable Giving Amid Tragic Flooding
The State of Texas is urging individuals to exercise caution when making charitable donations in the wake of the devastating flooding. Attorney General Ken Paxton warned of potential scams and emphasized the importance of verifying the legitimacy of charitable efforts. The Attorney General encouraged those wishing to donate to utilize reputable resources such as CharityWatch and GuideStar to ensure their contributions reach intended recipients.
Key Takeaways:
- Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a consumer alert to warn Texans of potential charitable scams in the wake of the flooding.
- Paxton emphasized the importance of verifying the legitimacy of charitable efforts to avoid scams and ensure donations reach intended recipients.
- Texans are advised to exercise caution when making charitable donations, including avoiding wire transfers and providing sensitive financial or personal information.
- CharityWatch and GuideStar are recommended resources for donors to make informed choices and verify the legitimacy of charitable organizations.
- Scammers often use fake names and phone numbers to disguise their identity and area code.
- Texans are warned to be vigilant against text message solicitations or "smishing" for donations.
- The Attorney General encourages those considering charitable donations to do so with informed awareness.
Statistics:
- According to CharityWatch, millions of IRS-recognized nonprofits are incorporated in their database.
- GuideStar gathers data on millions of IRS-recognized nonprofits to provide donors with information on charitable organizations.
- The Attorney General's office estimates that Texans have been impacted by devastating flooding.
Sources:
- "Consumer Alert: Attorney General Paxton Warns Texans of Potential Charitable Scams" (Office of the Attorney General, The State of Texas)
- CharityWatch (formerly The American Institute of Philanthropy)
- GuideStar (IRS-recognized nonprofits database)