BBB Urges Caution in Contributing to Charities Connected to Virginia Tech Shootings

Austin, Texas, April 24, 2007 In the aftermath of Monday's horrific shootings at Virginia Tech, the Better Business Bureau is issuing a caution to area consumers and businesses to be thoughtful and prudent before contributing to a charity or outreach connect with the tragedy.

Carrie A. Hurt, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central and South Central Texas, cautions area consumers and businesses to be very sure that the contribution they make will do precisely what they want it to do.

"These are emotional times, and as Americans we all want to help", Hurt said. "Just don't be rushed into making a contribution. Many well meaning folks will be establishing charitable organizations to help with the victims or their families. Unfortunately, many of these well meaning charities are unsophisticated and not really capable of handling significant sums of money. Even more unfortunately, some charitable solicitations are at best deceitful and, at worst, just plain crooked."

Hurt cautions patience and care before contributing. She offers this advice:

1. Be wary of appeals that are long on emotion, but short on describing what the charity will do to address the needs of victims and their families.
2. If you contribute, do not give cash. Make a check or money order out to the name of the charitable organization, not to the individual collecting the donation.
3. Watch out for excessive pressure for on-the-spot donations. Be wary of any request to send a "runner" to pick up your contribution.
4. Do not give your credit card number or other personal information to a telephone solicitor. Ask the caller to provide you with written information on the charity's programs and finances.
5. Do not hesitate to ask for written information that describes the charity's program(s) and finances such as the charity's latest annual report and financial statements. Even newly created organizations should have some basic information available.
6. Be wary of charities that are reluctant to answer reasonable questions about their operations, finances and programs. Ask how much of your gift will be used for the activity mentioned in the appeal and how much will go toward other programs and administrative and fund raising costs.
7. Remember the opportunities to give will continue. The tragedy aftermath will not disappear when the headlines do.

If you have questions, contact the BBB online at www.bbb.org and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance at www.give.org.

About Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau, Inc. serving Central and South Central Texas (BBB) was founded in 1950 as a non-profit membership organization. The mission of the BBB is to promote and foster the highest ethical relationship between businesses and the public through voluntary self-regulation, consumer and business education, and service excellence.

This Better Business Bureau is currently supported by approximately 6,900 member businesses and serves more than 3,000,000 consumers in its 52-county service area in Texas. These counties include: Atascosa, Bandera, Bastrop, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Bosque, Burnet, Caldwell, Calhoun, Comal, Comanche, Coryell, Dewitt, Dimmit, Edwards, Falls, Fayette, Freestone, Frio, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hamilton, Hays, Hill, Jackson, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kinney, Lampasas, LaSalle, Lavaca, Limestone, Llano, Maverick, McLennan, McMullen, Medina, Mills, Navarro, Real, San Saba, Travis, Uvalde, Val Verde, Victoria, Webb, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala.