CHARLESTON, S.C. (WBTW)-Many folks are donating to the families of the victims of the Charleston shooting. Last Wednesday, police say 21-year-old Dylann Roof walked into the Emanuel AME church in Charleston, spent about an hour in a bible study then shot and killed nine people.
While some of the donation sites are legitimate, experts warn scams are on the way. All over the state and country, there’s been an outpouring of prayers and support for the Charleston community after the shooting.
As folks learn more about the nine victims, their families, and the funeral arrangements, many people now want to help by giving. But authorities say the scams have already begun. People are calling, claiming to be with the Charleston police department, asking you to send them money. These callers are of course not associated with the Charleston police.
Vee Daniel with the Better Business Bureau of the upstate says experts are expecting things like this to happen.
“Funerals would probably be a big one, the cost to help pay for the funeral, giving the family the cost of if they were in the hospital, the hospital costs. So they use anything that they can use to try to get money.”
Daniel says before you give, check to make sure the charity is registered with the secretary of state and ask how the money will be spent and how much the family will actually get. Never click on links to charities from unfamiliar websites, texts or emails.
Some families may also set up funds on their own. If so, Daniel says it’s always good to make sure a third party is involved, like a CPA or a bank. You can check out a charity for yourself on the secretary of state’s website. There, you can also report-suspicious activity to the state.
If you want to help the victims’ families, you can donate to the Mother Emanuel hope fund, just go to any Wells Fargo bank.
