skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Monday, April 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rival Gaza protest groups clash at UCLA; IL farmers on costly hold amid legislative foot-dragging; classes help NY psychologists understand disabled people's mental health; NH businesses, educators: anti-LGBTQ bills hurting kids, economy.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Ukraine receives much-needed U.S. aid, though it's just getting started. Protesting college students are up in arms about pro-Israel stances. And, end-of-life care advocates stand up for minors' gender-affirming care in Montana.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

More rural working-age people are dying young compared to their urban counterparts, the internet was a lifesaver for rural students during the pandemic but the connection has been broken for many, and conservationists believe a new rule governing public lands will protect them for future generations.

Beware Grinches After Your Charity Donations

play audio
Play

Monday, December 13, 2010   

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The season for charitable giving is now in high gear, and Ohio authorities say it's also the season to watch out for "Grinches" in the form of scammers after your donation dollars. Ohioans who spend time on the computer are probably already familiar with those fake messages that appear to be from a bank, but are really "phishing" schemes aimed at your wallet.

Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray says the same tricks can happen with donation requests from scammers that sound like big-name nonprofit groups.

"The Internet tends to allow some phony organizations to appear to be more legitimate, because people tend to take at face value what they see on the Web sometimes, especially with fancy, well-organized websites that may or may not be what they purport to be."

Cordray says it's worth it to do some homework to ensure that your hard-earned dollars are going where you intend them to go. And he offers some simple tips for those who are questioning the legitimacy of a charity.

"If someone is imposing high-pressure tactics on you, do not give. If they can't answer questions about the charity, go somewhere else. And never make a check out to an individual personally, or to 'Cash' - always make a check out to the name of the charity."

Cordray says that if a charity asks for your bank account number or Social Security number, that's a red flag and the organization should be reported.

He says it pays to check out the charity before you send in your check. You can call the AG's office at 1-800-282-0515 to find out if an organization is a legitimate charity, or look online at
charitynavigator.org






get more stories like this via email

more stories
Some groups see disproportionately high rates of suicide, including veterans, racial and ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ people. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Rates of suicide among young people have increased by about 36% in roughly the last two decades and the surge has caught the attention of federal poli…


play sound

Members of Nebraska's LGBTQ+ community and their supporters saw positive actions at both the state and federal level this month. At the state level…

Social Issues

play sound

Missouri residents are gaining new insights into the powerful role of food in health care as experts and organizations advocate for a shift toward foo…


New Mexico is the second sunniest state in the nation after Arizona, creating maximum opportunities for solar development. (KristinaBlokhin/AdobeStock)

Environment

play sound

New federal funding aims to revolutionize solar energy access within New Mexico's Native American communities and benefit the state overall. The …

Health and Wellness

play sound

Nevada health-care providers, patients and advocates are responding to the U.S. Supreme Court case that'll determine the future of the Emergency …

Environment

play sound

A Knoxville-based environmental group is advocating for the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act expansion, currently awaiting House approval…

Environment

play sound

State officials in Maine are preparing the next generation for climate change-related activism and careers. A new state-run website helps young …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021