It's hard for us to believe that scammers would take advantage of the outpouring of world-wide compassion following Japan's catastrophic earthquake and tsunami disaster.

But it's true!

We have seen every scam in the book over the last 30 years and thought that we had "seen it all."  But this takes the cake.

There is an all-out effort by scammers to pocket your donations to Japan in any way they can--especially online.

Scammers are using:

• Fake websites collecting donations--more than 350 "help Japan"-type websites were registered in a 24 period over this past weekend!
• Fraudulent "phishing" e-mail solicitations
• Bogus social networking pleas for help
• Fake emails from relief groups.  Our friend just received one from the "British Red Cross" asking for wire transfers to aid Japan!  (Note:  Legitimate charities never make requests for wire transfers.)

There is NO doubt that our Japanese friends need help.  And we firmly support all legitimate help from generous donors.

But let's take a minute to be sure you are protecting yourself and that your donations make it to the people who desperately need it.

Tip 1:  Beware of online solicitations from legitimate sounding organizations. Many bogus organizations use names that look or sound like legitimate organizations.  Sometimes they even steal their logo!

Tip 2:  Donate to your favorite charity which has set up a Japan relief program.  You can inform the charity that you want your donation to be specifically used to help the Japanese through the current crisis.

Tip 3:  If you are not sure of a particular charity's legitimate website or receive an unsolicited donation request, call them and confirm their correct website address.

Tip 4: Don't donate to any charity with which you are unfamiliar without first check it out on Charity Navigator. (Note: Most non-profit sites website addresses end with ".org.")

Tip 5: Don't open any unsolicited emails with attachments that claim to have pictures of the Japanese devastation...could be a virus!

Tip 6: Be wary of pleas on various social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Tip 7:  Texting your donation by phone can be one of the safest ways to give money.  One popular way to give is to text a donation the American Red Cross.  Just text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation).  But be aware of the fact that it could take as long as 90 days for the charity to receive your donation.

We encourage you to donate to disaster relief in Japan...it is certainly needed now.

But use these simple tips to be sure that your donation doesn't get snared in a despicable scam. 

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