In response to the recent hurricanes causing havoc, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is stepping up with advice for well-meaning donors looking to aid in the relief efforts. In a statement obtained by the Illinois Attorney General's office, Raoul expressed his concern, highlighting the need for vigilance against fraudulent fundraising activities that often follow such disasters.
“I want to urge Illinoisans donating to relief efforts to take the time to look into the charitable organization before donating,” Raoul cautioned, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that contributions make it to legitimate causes. In his advice, he pointed out that potential donors should confirm whether the charity is directly aiding the disaster-struck communities or merely acts as a fundraiser for other groups. He further noted that giving directly to organizations with a physical presence in the affected areas is usually more beneficial.
Attorney General Raoul advised against readily accepting solicitation for in-kind donations, such as clothing and food. He raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of such contributions without the proper infrastructure or experience in disaster relief by the charitable organization to manage them. He encouraged inquiries about how the charity plans to transport and distribute the donations.
To help ensure donations will not be misspent, Raoul shared several tips. Amongst them, he warned not to automatically trust charity recommendations found on social media, and always to fully research the charity in question. Additionally, Raoul suggested being cautious when giving online, advising donors to "exercise caution when giving online" to avoid being tricked by spam emails or solicitations from unfamiliar charities. He advocated for payment methods that provide a record, cautioning specifically against cash and peer-to-peer payments conducted through apps like Venmo or Zelle. Raoul also underscored the importance of rejecting high-pressure tactics or unusual requests—clear indicators of potential scams.
In the event of suspicious solicitations, Raoul encourages anyone to contact the Attorney General’s Charitable Trust Bureau by calling 312-814-2595 or by submitting a complaint through his office's website. He stressed the necessity under Illinois law for fundraisers and charitable organizations to register with his office, a database that is publicly available for potential donors to review and make informed decisions about their charitable giving. With these guidelines, donors are better positioned to aid those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton and ensure their generosity isn't co-opted by opportunistic scammers.
