In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Americans are opening their hearts and wallets to help the nation recover. But despite the horrible nature of the tragedy and the goodness of so many Americans who want to help, there are dishonest vultures out there who wish to profit from the tragedy. So if you’re thinking about donating to the cause, here are some tips to help you give safely.

Donate to recognized charities you have given to before. Watch out for similar sounding names. Some phony charities use names that sound or look like those of respected, legitimate organizations.

Give directly to the charity, not solicitors for the charity. That’s because solicitors take a portion of the proceeds to cover their costs. That leaves less for the victims.

Do not give out personal or financial information – including your Social Security number or credit card and bank account numbers – to anyone who solicits a contribution from you. Scam artists use this information to commit fraud against you.

Check out charities. Contact the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance: 4200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22203; (703) 276-0100; www.give.org, the Maine Attorney General’s Office, or the Maine Secretary of State’s Office to determine whether the charity is registered. But remember that registration alone is not enough to prove legitimacy.

Don’t give cash. For security and tax-record purposes, pay by check. Write the official name of the charity on your check. Or you can contribute safely online at www.libertyunites.org.

Ask for identification if you’re approached in person. Maine requires paid fund-raisers to identify themselves as such and to name the charity for which they’re soliciting.

It is almost incomprehensible that there are bloodsuckers out there who would use bogus charitable giving schemes to profit from the grief we all feel after the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks. But then it was incomprehensible that anyone could be so inhuman as to launch the attack itself. If you believe you have been the victim of such a fraud, contact COMBAT’s Maine Center for the Public Interest and report it. Try to get as much information as you can about the organization you are reporting such as full name, address, phone number and the name of the individual solicitor.

Though not as obvious or illegal as fraudulent charitable solicitations, there also are profiteers who are attempting to capitalize on our rebirth of national pride and patriotism. You will see their advertisements on TV, in newspapers, in mailings and on the Internet. They offer special “collectible” sets of American flags; pins, decals, car mounted displays, etc. These jackals are attempting to profit from the nation’s rush to display its patriotism. Many of these items are proving to be overpriced junk. Our advice? As always, buy locally. There are plenty of flags, lapel pins and displays in local stores.

Finally, some otherwise legitimate charitable organizations are jumping on the fund-raising bandwagon because they take from 15 percent to 25 percent (or more) of every gift for “administrative expenses.” They are getting fat and realizing tremendous windfalls from the tragedy. If you are solicited, even by charities you normally trust, ask how much they take for administration. If you are not happy with their response, give directly to World Trade Center relief funds.

As we must be vigilant in all other ways, so must we be vigilant for those who seek to gain personal profit from our national tragedy.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT/The Maine Center for the Public Interest, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. For help or to request individual or business membership information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.