Beware of Scammers Collecting Funds in Name of Flood Affected Victims

Beware of Scammers Collecting Funds in Name of Flood Affected Victims

If you want to contribute to the Kodagu flood affected victims relief funds, make a cheque or DD payable to ‘Chief Minister’s Calamity Relief Fund Karnataka State’. or making a direct cash transfer, send it to Account number: 37887098605 IFSC Code: SBIN0040277 Contribution for flood victims of Kerala state cash or DD could be sent to ‘Chief Minister’s Calamity Relief Fund Kerala State’ or direct cash transfer remitted to Account number: 67319948232 IFSC Code: SBIN0070028.

Mangaluru: Scammers impersonate genuine charities and ask for donations or contact you claiming to collect money for relief efforts after natural disasters- and this has to light in DK, Mangaluru, Madikeri and other parts of Karnataka. When disasters strike and when disaster victims seek help, there are miscreants ready to make some money in the name of fundraising efforts to help the flood affected people. Fake charities will try to take advantage of your generosity and compassion for others in need. Scammers will steal your money by posing as a genuine charity. Not only do these scams cost you money, they also divert much needed donations away from legitimate charities and causes.

Fake charity approaches occur all year round and often take the form of a response to real disasters or emergencies, such as floods, cyclones, etc. Scammers will pose as either agents of legitimate well-known charities or create their own charity name. This can include charities that conduct medical research or support disease sufferers and their families. Scammers may also play on your emotions by claiming to help children who are ill. Fake charities operate in a number of different ways. You may be approached on the street or at your front door by people collecting money. Scammers may also set up fake websites which look similar to those operated by real charities. Some scammers will call or email you requesting a donation.

And such kind of scamming business in extorting money from innocent citizens is taking place in and around Mangaluru, it is learnt. There are a few people already on the streets holding canisters with a sign reading “In Aid of Flood Victims”- they could be real, or they could be fake. The best way to not to lose your money to fake relief funds collectors, is by contributing to genuine organizations, and not to entertain anyone on streets who may look real relief work volunteers.

In a recent incident, it is learnt that the Kodava Samaja flood relief account is been misused by some people in Bengaluru. Few people have created a fake bank account which is doing rounds in social media in the name of flood relief fund. Bangalore Kodava Samaja have now filed a complaint with the Central Crime Branch(CCB) alleging that some people had opened a fake bank account in its name and collecting money for flood relief.

The district administration here having received complaints on such scams going in and around DK has released a statement stating “People who want to donate cash towards the flood-affected victims should do so only by sending a cheque or DD to the ‘Chief Minister’s Relief Fund’. No person or voluntary organizations or other groups are given any authority to collect cash or things from the public. The organizations can also donate monetary aid to the chief minister relief fund,”.

When donating money to help people affected by this disaster, make sure you are dealing with a legitimate fundraiser. Fake fundraisers, also known as charity scams, have taken advantage of public generosity after past disasters. They may -approach you on the street or in your home, pretending to collect for a legitimate charity; set up false websites or send letters similar to those used by real charities; and use unsolicited telephone calls or emails to ask for donations.
You should be careful and alert, when You receive an email asking for donations; When a collector makes a face-to-face approach but does not have any identification or has fake identification; When the collector cannot or will not give you details about the charity, such as its full name, address or phone number; When the collector becomes defensive when asked what the charity does and how much of the donation gets taken up by costs; Whe collector asks for cash, will not accept a cheque or asks for any cheque to be made out to them rather than to the charity; When Illegitimate online collectors will insist on payment by money transfer; and When the collector does not want to provide a receipt or the receipt does not have the charity’s details on it.

If you think and feel positive that you are approached by a fake funds collector get hold of him/them with the help of others and call police. Report fake fundraisers! Protect others and help make sure donations go to legitimate charities and causes. Donate to established relief organizations with a strong record in providing aid. Be wary of giving money to an unfamiliar charity. Approach charity organizations directly to make a donation. Never use a phone number or website address given by a person who first called, visited or emailed you. Never respond to an unsolicited email asking for donations – even if it claims to represent a reputable fundraiser or seems legitimate.

Only hand over money to someone wearing proper identification and always ask for a receipt. If they are not wearing identification, ask to see it. Make sure collection tins or containers are sealed and clearly labelled with the fundraiser’s logo. Never give out your personal, credit card or online account details unless you initiated contact and it is a trusted source. If you are still unsure, ask the fundraiser if you can donate at a local bank. If the charity is well known but you are suspicious of a collector in your area, contact the charity and ask if they are aware of the collector.

And finally, if you want to contribute to the Kodagu flood affected victims relief funds, make a cheque or DD payable to ‘Chief Minister’s Calamity Relief Fund Karnataka State’. or making a direct cash transfer, send it to Account number: 37887098605 IFSC Code: SBIN0040277

Contribution for flood victims of Kerala state cash or DD could be sent to ‘Chief Minister’s Calamity Relief Fund Kerala State’ or direct cash transfer remitted to Account number: 67319948232 IFSC Code: SBIN0070028.