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Watch out for Fake Veterans’ Charities

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By Wisconsin Better Business Bureau – May 21st, 2020 07:03 am

Milwaukee, Wis. – Memorial Day reminds us to honor and mourn for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. To show respect for this federal holiday, some will choose to contribute to charities that address a variety of issues and needs facing veterans, military service members and/or their families. BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers the following advice to help donors make wise giving decisions to such organizations:

  • Watch Out for Name Confusion. Some veterans charities include the same words in a different order or slightly different form. So, be alert and make sure the organization you are considering is the one you want to support.
  • Identify What They Do. Don’t assume what the veterans organization does based on their name alone. Look for a clear description of the organization’s programs in its appeals and on its website.
  • Be Cautious on Phone Appeals. If not managed properly, some telemarketing campaigns for veterans organizations can be an expensive way to raise funds with very little going to the organization. If called, do not hesitate to ask for written information or visit the group’s website to find out about its programs and finances before making a giving decision.
  • Be Wary of Excessive Pressure.  Don’t be pressured to make an immediate on-the-spot donation to a veterans organization. Charities will welcome your gift whenever you want to send it.
  • Learn How Donated Items Will Be Used. Find out how the charity benefits from the collection and resale of used clothing and other in-kind gifts. Sometimes the charity receives only a small portion of the resale price of the item or may have a contractual arrangement to get a flat fee for every household pick-up, no matter what the contents.
  • Check Outside Sources Before Giving: In addition to charity reports on BBB’s Give.org, check with your state government’s charity registration agency, usually a division of either the Attorney General’s office or Secretary of State’s office.

The following organizations meet all 20 of the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability (i.e., BBB Accredited Charities.) See the reports in the respective links.

America’s Vet Dogs – The Veteran’s K-9 Cops

Armed Services YMCA of the USA

Blinded Veterans Association

Boot Campaign

Boulder Crest Retreat Foundation

Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation

Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes Foundation

Code of Support Foundation

Corporate America Supports You

Disabled American Veterans

EOD Warrior Foundation

Gary Sinise Foundation

Homes for Our Troops

Honor Flight Network

K9s for Warriors

Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation

Military Spouse Corporate Career Network

Military with PTSD

Operation Gratitude

Soldiers’ Angels

Team Red, White & Blue

Travis Manion Foundation

USO

Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home for Children

VFW Foundation

Wounded Warrior Project

Wounded Warrior Family Support

For more information or further inquiries, contact the Wisconsin BBB at www.bbb.org/wisconsin, 414-847-6000 or 1-800-273-1002. Consumers also can find more information about how to protect themselves from scams by following the Wisconsin BBB on FacebookTwitterInstagram and YouTube.

ABOUT BBB: For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2019, people turned to BBB more than 183 million times for BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.8 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at bbb.org. There are local, independent BBBs across the United States, Canada and Mexico, including BBB Serving Wisconsin which was founded in 1939 and serves the state of Wisconsin.

Link to original post from the Better Business Bureau.