Beware of scams seeking donations to help Syrian refugees

The photographs are heartbreaking.

Scared and hungry children crying. Refugees fleeing the fighting in Syria, carrying the few possessions they were able to salvage. The body of a young child being pulled from the water.

Who wouldn’t want to give money to help?

If you do, warns the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, be careful.

"Tragedies generate public sympathy but unfortunately also attract scam fund raising efforts," H. Art Taylor, president and CEO of BBB WGA, said in a statement. "We are reminding contributors to be on the lookout for questionable solicitors and recommend that they focus giving efforts on charities that already have a presence in the impacted areas."

Here are some tips to protect yourself and help others:

• Be cautious when giving online. especially in response to spam messages and emails that claim to link to a relief organization. Instead, go directly to the charity's web site.

• Rely on expert opinion when it comes to evaluating a charity.

• Be cautious when relying on third-party recommendations from bloggers or other web sites. The public can go to Give.org to verify if a charity meets the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.

• Be wary of claims that 100 percent of donations will assist relief victims. Charities have fund raising and administrative costs.

• Find out if the charity has an on-the-ground presence in the impacted areas.

• Some charities may be raising money to pass along to relief organizations. If so, you may want to consider "avoiding the middleman" and giving directly to those that have a presence in the region.