Boston Marathon Charity Scams To Avoid — And One Actual Charity To Donate To
Tragedies like the Boston Marathon bombing are horrific, but they also bring people together.
So many people try to do good and contribute, however, believe it or not, there are people that are only trying to make a buck and scam people during a vulnerable time.
In fact, according to The Domains, an industry news site about online domain names, more than 125 names relating to the Boston Marathon explosions have been registered since Monday -- many disguised to look like money-raising charities but actually created for self gain.
It's hard to believe that someone's first thought is "Hey, lets get a domain so we can make money".
A fake Twitter fund also surfaced and was suspended after asking for re-tweets in order to collect donations for victims. “For every retweet we receive we will donate $1.00 to the #BostonMarathon victims #PrayForBoston,” read the tweet sent by the Twitter account @_BostonMarathon.
Here's what to look out for:
- Avoid unfamiliar websites.
- Be wary of charities that solicit you directly.
- Question charities with similar-sounding names (as with the fake “Boston Marathon” account), and be skeptical of “cash-only” requests.
Following #BostonMarathon on Twitter is a great way to stay informed, as far as where to help and find help.
The official donation site that has been set up by the Governor of Massachusetts and the Mayor of Boston in called The One Fund.