Tx Attorney General: Watch For Charity Scams

AUSTIN(AP)- Texas residents who want to contribute to help efforts following Hurricane Katrina should give through well-known charities to avoid bogus charities, the Texas Attorney General’s Office said Thursday.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott warned that door-to-door con artists and telephone, e-mail and Internet scams might be on the rise. Suspicious sites include: katrinahelp.com, katrinacleanup.com and katrinarelief.com, Abbott said.

“Major disasters spawn a mood of charitable giving among people in all walks of life and stir deep sympathies for people and their suffering,” he said. “Con artists know this and will take every opportunity to exploit families in need and others for personal gain.”

To avoid being swindled, consumers should ask for credentials from solicitors, call the charity to confirm information, and be wary of appeals that provide few details.

Consumers can file complaints about suspicious charities with the Attorney General’s Office by calling (800) 252-8011, or online via the link provided.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-09-01-05 2007EDT