Don’t let heart rule wallet

During this active hurricane season, our hearts go out to people who have lost loved ones, homes and property. Before we open our wallets, we should take a hard look at those who solicit funds in the name of helping storm victims – they may be simply helping themselves.

Right after a major weather event, fraudulent appeals begin. They often take the form of heart-wrenching e-mails accompanied by photos of storm damage and displaced persons. Clicking on these attachments can subject your computer to all sorts of malicious software. Avoid opening attachments from any sender you don’t know.

The appeal to our caring nature and generosity often comes before the urging to “give to the American Red Cross” and a Web site that appears genuine. Clicking on it can send you somewhere else entirely. You may again be opening your computer files to spyware as well as making a donation to a scam artist.

Scammers on the phone and the Web may also appeal to our greedier side. They may tout investments in companies that stand to gain by hurricane relief efforts. There’s also a variation on the Nigerian scam, with promises of wealth if you help the sender move nonexistent money from one country to another. Penny stocks may be promoted due to “glitches in supply lines” as a result of a big storm.

The fraud watchdog Scambusters.org warns also of chain letters you’re asked to forward, with “50 cents going to relief for every person who reads this message.” Also watch for scammers posing as government or banking officials in an effort to get your banking or other personal information.

The Better Business Bureau has some suggestions:

. Be wary of donating online, especially in response to spam messages and e-mails that say they’ll link you to a relief Web site. You may be directed to a site that appears genuine but is not.

. Be suspicious of any claim that 100 percent of all donations goes to help victims. Every charitable venture has some administrative costs

. Find out if the charity is providing direct relief or passing along funds to another organization. Your money may be better spent if you research the agencies giving aid “on the ground” and eliminate the middle man in your giving.

. If you’re asked to donate food, clothing or household goods, find out whether the organization has the means to distribute these items effectively. Cash gifts to a worthy group may provide the fastest, most direct help.

. If you decide to donate, research any group you’re interested in. Guidestar (guidestar.org) rates charities, as does the Better Business Bureau

(bbb.org/charity).

. If you know about fraud, abuse or mismanagement in relief efforts, you may report to the federal Office of the Inspector General by calling the Disaster Fraud Hotline, 866-720-5721 or e-mailing disaster@leo.gov. On its Web site the federal volunteer agency, Freedom Corps America, has information about direct giving and volunteer opportunities, both in storm-struck areas and locally.

Our bottom line advice: Be as informed about your charitable giving as you are about any goods or services you buy for yourself.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration, now in its 30th year, of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual and business memberships are available. For assistance with consumer-related issues, including consumer fraud and identity theft, or for more information, write: Consumer Forum, P.O. Box 486, Brewer ME 04412, or e-mail contacexdir@live.com.