shaw capital management financial news: Consumers are warned of Japan Relief Scams

http://www.ktnv.com/story/14256951/consumers-are-warned-of-japan-relief-scams
Updated: Mar 15, 2011 8:16 PM GST
Las Vegas, NV- The Nevada Attorney General’s Office cautions citizens to beware of possible scams that invariably follow efforts to assist victims of disasters.  Therefore, the Attorney General is providing information to Nevadans on how to contribute and assist with Earthquake Relief efforts in Japan.
Beware of scams
People who are looking for ways to help with earthquake relief should be wary of solicitations that could be from scam artists.   In past tragedies and natural disasters, individuals with criminal intent have solicited contributions purportedly for a charitable organization.  The following tips are offered to protect the public from these scams:

• Ignore unsolicited e-mails, and do not click on links within those messages.
• Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as survival victims or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.
• Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files, because the files may contain computer viruses. Open attachments only from known senders.
• Decline to give personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions.
• Make contributions directly to known organizations, rather than relying on others who claim in e-mails that they will channel the donation to established groups.

How Can You Help
“While Nevadans always show their generosity and support during these natural disasters, it is important that citizens have guidance to be sure their contributions go to those in need,” said Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto.  “In addition to contributing to organizations familiar to the donor, our office suggests contacting an independent organization like the Better Business Bureau to determine if an unfamiliar charity has a good reputation.”
Nevadans should direct their contributions to recognized organizations such as the Red Cross and the Salvation Army or to organizations identified below.
Humanitarian Organizations
The most efficient and effective way to help those affected by a disaster overseas is to make a monetary donation to a humanitarian organization that is implementing relief programs in the affected region. For example,  Global Giving has specific disaster-recovery projects listed that can be supported and the United Nations maintains a website called ReliefWeb, which is a repository of information, listed by disaster, submitted by responding humanitarian organizations.
Monetary Donations
Monetary donations are the most effective form of assistance because they allow humanitarian organizations to purchase (often within the affected region itself) the exact type and quantity of items needed by those affected by the crisis.
Volunteering
Volunteer opportunities in disaster settings are extremely rare, and are usually limited to people with prior disaster experience and technical skills (such as health, engineering, etc.). To register your skills and experience for a possible volunteer opportunity, go to theCenter for International Disaster Information’s registration page