Phony Katrina Relief Fund Websites

The term "buyer beware" applies equally to those who, with the best of intentions, decide to donate money to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Websites are being set up for donations, but not all of them are legitimate. Events such as this natural disaster can bring out the best in people - or the worst, as evidenced by the creation of phony websites soliciting donations for victims.

There are reports of e-mails sent to thank people for supporting the Hurricane Relief operation by contributing to the American Red Cross. The e-mail goes on to indicate that in order to "reduce donor wait time caused by high volume," the American Red Cross has partnered with "other" organizations to handle donation processing. It includes a link people can click on to make a donation.

The American Red Cross confirmed that the agency has not partnered with anyone to collect donations. The Red Cross is capable of processing all donations.

According to the Red Cross, the best way to donate to their organization is through your local chapters or online at www.redcross.org.

The Red Cross reports that there are other websites being set up to dupe people out of money and collecting funds that will never be used for any relief fund.

Before giving, call your local Better Business Bureau  or charity registration office, which is usually a division of the state attorney general's office. Information on national charities is available from the BBB's Wise Giving Alliance  at 800-575-4483 or www.give.org.

Recently, in Florida, lawsuits were filed against individuals running sites with names like katrinahelp.com and katrinarelief.com.

People who want to help can contact the agencies they are interested in donating to directly. Even directly, online donations should be made over a secure, encrypted connection and to a well-established agency that has been verified as legitimate.