When disaster strikes, here’s how to help

Then, they say, the best thing is to open your wallet.

There are a number of places to donate. By text, by check or by phone call.

Here are some agencies to support:

The Salvation Army

• By phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)

• Online at www.salvationarmyatlanta.org/

• By mail: The Salvation Army - Disaster Relief P.O. BOX 2536 Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Please make checks payable to “The Salvation Army” and clearly marked “May 2013 Oklahoma Tornadoes.”

• You can also text the word “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation through your mobile phone; to confirm your gift, respond with the word “Yes.”

Donors can specify where they want their dollars to go. For instance, if you want to help people in another state, you can specify that in your donation.

American Red Cross

The Red Cross provides shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters.

Consumers can help by:

• Visiting www.redcross.org

• Calling 1-800-RED-CROSS

• Texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation

Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Consumer tips from the Georgia Secretary of State’s office:

Secretary Brian Kemp issued the following tips for charitable giving:

• Research charities before you contribute. The percentage of your contribution that a charity spends on fundraising activities, employee salaries, or expenses which do not directly support the charity’s stated mission varies greatly by organization.

• A number of online resources can help you research charities. The Better Business Bureau (give.org) and GuideStar (guidestar.org) provide detailed information about nonprofit organizations. Also, take time to review the organization’s own website.

• Be wary of telephone solicitors asking for contributions. If you are solicited by phone, ask that the individual put their request in writing and provide complete information about the charitable program. Also, ask if the person conducting the solicitation is a volunteer or a paid solicitor.

• Never give your credit card, debit card, or bank account information to a telephone solicitor. Also, be particularly cautious of couriers willing to rush out to your home or business to pick up your contribution.

• If a tax deduction is important to you, make sure the organization has a tax deductible status with the Internal Revenue Service. “Tax exempt,” “non-profit,” and “tax deductible” mean different things. Just because a solicitor says their organization is non-profit or tax-exempt, that does not mean you can legally deduct your contribution. Only “tax deductible” means your contribution is deductible on your income tax return. Make sure you get a receipt which shows the amount of your contribution and states that the contribution is tax deductible. The IRS website (irs.gov/charities) has a searchable database of organizations eligible to receive tax deductible charitable contributions.

• Many charitable solicitors ask for contributions of clothing, other household items, and vehicles. IRS rules concerning valuations and receipts have changed significantly in recent years; be sure you understand them completely (irs.gov/charities/contributors).

• Not all organizations with charitable sounding names are actually charities. Many organizations adopt names that are similar to well-known charities. Be sure you know exactly who is asking for your contribution.

• Watch out for organizations that use questionable techniques such as sending unordered merchandise or invoices after you have turned them down for a donation. You are under no obligation to pay for or return items received under these circumstances.

• Most police and fire departments are funded by tax dollars. However, their unions and social organizations may solicit you for contributions. These groups typically use paid fundraisers to solicit donations. If you are solicited by an organization using the words “police” or “firefighter,” call your local police or fire department to verify that the group is actually supporting the department and to find out how much of their contributions actually are used for their programs.

• Be skeptical of organizations which list only post office boxes, “PMB” addresses, or mail drop suite numbers.

Citizens can file complaints against charitable organizations on the Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards Division website at http://www.sos.ga.gov/plb. If you have additional questions, please call the Georgia Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards Division, which oversees charitable organizations, at 478-207-2440.