National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Check with the Better Business Bureau before going pink
 Chicago, IL – October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) and many national and local businesses are marketing pink ribbon products and services to support a cure for breast cancer. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises those consumers considering supporting the cause to research donation claims before making a purchase.
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This month many organizations are promoting awareness of breast cancer issues; however, with any great cause comes the chance of scammers taking advantage of those with full hearts and wallets.
The BBB encourages consumers to look for companies that disclose a charity name, the amount of a sale going to the charity, the duration of marketing campaigns and, if applicable, the maximum or minimum contribution amount.
Additional charitable giving advice includes: Be wary of appeals that are long on emotion, but short on describing what the charity does.
- If you contribute, do not give cash. Use a credit card or check or money order made out to the name of the charitable organization, not to the individual collecting the donation.
- Watch out for excessive pressure for on-the-spot donations. Be wary of any requests to send a “runner” to pick up your donation.
- Keep records of your donations (receipts, canceled checks, and bank statements) so you can document your charitable giving at tax time. Although the value of your time as a volunteer is not deductible, out-of-pocket expenses (including transportation costs) directly related to your volunteer service to a charity are deductible.
- Be wary of charities that are reluctant to answer reasonable questions about their operations, finances and programs.Â
Bernas adds, “Ask how much of your gift will be used for the activity mentioned in the appeal and how much will go toward other programs and administrative and fundraising costs.”
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For more information on how to ensure that your donation gets into the right hands, visit www.bbb.org
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- Research the charity with the BBB. If the product or service is in support of an unfamiliar charity, learn more about the organization by reviewing the BBB’s charity report online at www.bbb.org/charity
- Identify the charity receiving the donation. If the product or service is linked to a donation percentage, contact the business or manufacturer to determine exactly where the money is going and what percentage is donated.
- Confirm the charity’s corporate partners. Many national breast cancer charities list the names of corporate partners and sponsors on their websites.