http://westernmichigan.bbb.org/WWWRoot//SitePage.aspx?site=53&id=a824b759-3137-43b5-aedf-a38056bcce73&debug=False 10 Tue, 18 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT Charity scammers strike after natural catastrophes such as hurricanes, floods and earthquakes, as well as tragedies such as the Colorado theater shootings and now the Newtown school massacre. http://westernmichigan.bbb.org/article/bbb-serving-western-michigan-cautions-consumers-to-watch-out-for-scammers-in-wake-of-newtown-school-shootings-39024 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 06:00:00 GMT Be Sure Disaster Relief Charities are Legit and Equipped to Help http://westernmichigan.bbb.org/article/donor-alert-giving-to-pacific-tsunami-and-japanese-earthquake-victims-25969 Thu, 02 Dec 2010 06:00:00 GMT The BBB of Western Michigan has hundreds of Local Charity Review reports available at www.westernmichigan.bbb.org. In addition, national charity reviews from the BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance are available at www.bbb.org. http://westernmichigan.bbb.org/article/local-west-michigan-charity-reviews-available-23952 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 05:00:00 GMT August 9, 2010 - Grand Rapids, MI - Forty billionaires have pledged to donate a substantial portion of their wealth to charity with the hope of inspiring others to donate to worthy causes as well. While the dollar amount might be less, the BBB National and Local Charity programs encourages everyone to give like a billionaire by researching any charity fully before making a donation. http://westernmichigan.bbb.org/article/you-too-can-donate-like-a-billionaire-21461 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 06:00:00 GMT January 13, 2010 – Grand Rapids, MI – As immediate relief needs are assessed in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12th, many Americans are looking for ways to help by donating to a charity. The Better Business Bureau Serving Western Michigan warns that - as occurred following the tsunami in 2004 and Katrina in 2005 - fraudulent charities will likely emerge to try and scam donations from well-meaning Americans. http://westernmichigan.bbb.org/article/bbb-advises-donors-on-how-to-vet-haiti-earthquake-charity-appeals-14659 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT Most charities rely heavily on the goodwill of individual donors during the holiday season to fund their activities throughout the coming year. Last year, charity contributions totaled $307.65 billion: 75 percent of this total came from individuals, according to the Giving USA Foundation. The BBB Wise Giving Alliance advises donors to research a charity prior to giving and provides five questions to ask when vetting where to contribute this holiday season. http://westernmichigan.bbb.org/article/091103c-five-questions-to-ask-before-donating-to-a-charity-13332 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 05:00:00 GMT Advance Fee Loan Scams, Appliances, Automobiles, Charity Scams, Contractor Scams, Credit and Money, Damaged or Lost Documents, Debris Removal Scams, Door-To-Door Sale (Cooling Off Rule), Fake Disaster Officals, Flood Restoration, Foundation-Excavation-or-Waterproofing Work, Home Ownership Issues, Home Repair Scams, Identity Theft, Job Scams, Money and Credit, Pest Control, Rental Listing Scams, Utility Related Scams, Water Treatment or Purification Devices http://westernmichigan.bbb.org/article/ftc-the-federal-trade-commissions-information-about-relief-for-hurricane-victims-4721