The horror of the devestating earthquake in Haiti is beyond belief. So are the creeps taking advantage of our willingness to help by launching scam Haiti charities.
CBS News is reporting that links on Google posing as Haitian charities are really links to malicious software sites that may steal your identity or turn your computer into a robot for sending spam. CBS News also reports fake charities began popping up on Craigslist within hours after the 7.0 earthquake on Tuesday, January 12th.
The FBI warns about phony emails asking for money, which also could contain malicious virus programs or link to phishing websites. And I am warning you to be careful of fake charities whose name sounds oh, so close to a legitimate one
Give to well-known charities, or to your local religious group. If in doubt, check Charity Navigator, a non-profit watchdog site that rates charities for their honesty, reliability and perfomance.
These charities are legitimate — and need your donations — and all have the four-star top rating from Charity Navigator —
- American Red Cross
- UNICEF
- Doctors Without Borders, whose three hospitals in Haiti were destroyed, and many of their doctors are feared lost in the collapsed buildings
- World Vision
- AmericCares
- Hope for Haiti
- Water Missions, which provides drinkable water for poor communities around the world
- CARE
Another absolutely legitimate charity the new Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund, supported by three U. S. Presidents — Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush. Here is the VIDEO of the appeal by former presidents Clinton and Bush for your support:
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