Keep an eye out for scams as you donate to tsunami relief

Reporter: Jessie Rymers

Indiana's attorney general is reminding people to keep an eye out for scams as they reach out to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

"In the immediate aftermath of the Haiti earthquake last year, Hoosiers reached deep into their wallets to donate and help the victims. But in that outpouring, there were concerns about new and untested relief groups suddenly appearing and soliciting donations online and by email," said Attorney General Greg Zoeller on Friday.

During disasters you should make sure you're donating to reputable organizations, such as The Red Cross. Other groups will often try to take advantage of sympathetic people and trick them into making donations to fictitious organizations.

To make sure you are not scammed, you should look into the background of the organization you are thinking about donating to. You should never respond to phone calls or emails soliciting donations. You should be the one to reach out to the organization.

To help you make that distinction, the attorney general recommends the website Charity Navigator. At the site, you can check whether a charity uses donations for intended purposes.

If you would like to make a donation to The Red Cross, you can do so by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999, to make a $10 donation.