Harvey alert: Be cautious with what charities you donate to
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - In the wake of Hurricane Harvey and historic flooding across southeast Texas, Commissioner Adam H. Putnam encourages Floridians to visit FloridaConsumerHelp.com to research charitable organizations before donating money to help those in need.
"Our hearts go out to the people of Texas, and I hope that Floridians can respond with the same generosity that our state has received time and time again," Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam said. "But before giving your hard-earned money, I encourage Floridians to do their research, as fraudulent charities may be created to take advantage of people's empathy and generosity."
Most charitable organizations that are located in Florida or soliciting donations within Florida are required to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services prior to soliciting contributions. Charitable organizations not located in Florida or soliciting donations in Florida are not required to register with the department.
Consumers can help protect themselves from charity-related scams by:
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Information via www.FreshFromFlorida.com