BBB Advice on Donating by Text Message for Haiti Relief Efforts

1/14/2010

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In the wake of the earthquake disaster in Haiti, opportunities to donate via text message are popping up across the web. Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises donors that giving through text can be a safe and easy way to give—but you should still use caution.

Within days following the disaster in Haiti, it was widely reported that more than $3 million was donated through text message to such organizations as the Red Cross and others.

“It’s encouraging that people are making small donations through text messages,” says Rosalind Scott, Executive Director of BBB Vancouver Island. “An incredible amount of money will be needed to address the crisis in Haiti and charities will certainly welcome gifts made through any means available. However, donors should still do their due diligence to make sure their money is going to trustworthy charities.”

BBB offers the following tips on giving through text messages:
  • Confirm the number directly with the source. While BBB has not yet heard of any scams relying on text message donations, this emerging method for donating is ripe for exploitation by scammers.
  • Be aware that text donations are not immediate. Depending on the text message service used by the charity, text donations can take anywhere from 30-90 days to be transferred to the designated charity. If you would like the donation to be received immediately by the charity, you can give online through the charity Web site, by calling the charity directly or by sending a check in the mail. 
  • Review the fine print. When you give to a charity through text message, you might also be signing yourself up to receive text message updates from the charity in the future. A charity should include the details of its text campaign on its Web site so you can see what you’re signing up for and how you can opt out. 
  • Research the charity. Giving wisely to a charity isn’t just about making sure that the solicitation isn’t coming from scammers. Wise donors make sure their donations are going to charities that are best equipped to help in the relief efforts and will responsibly use the money for its intended purpose. 
BBB has identified that following organizations as currently providing legitimate text donation opportunities. Please note that this list is not inclusive of all organizations and is likely to expand over the coming days. Cell phone users can text:

  • “Yele” to 501501 to donate $5 to Wyclef Jean’s Yéle Foundation;
  • “Haiti” to 85944 to donate $5 to Rescue Union Mission and MedCorp International;
  • “Haiti” to 25383 to donate $5 to the International Rescue Committee;
  • “Haiti” to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross in the U.S.;
  •  “Haiti” to 45678 to donate $5 to the Salvation Army in Canada (Canada only).
Please be advised that donations should show up as one-time charges on the contributor’s next cell phone bill. (Amounts are in U.S. dollars, and standard text-messaging fees apply.)

According to Mobile Giving, 100 percent of donations will end up in the hands of the recipient charities.

In Canada, the service is available to Bell, Rogers, Fido, and Solo Mobile customers.

The best resource for consumers to check out for making donations is at the Foreign Affairs department: 
http://www.international.gc.ca/humanitarian-humanitaire/earthquake_seisme_haiti.aspx

For more information about protecting yourself from charity related frauds visit vi.bbb.org.


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