BBB: Donate charity dollars wisely

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - It's that time of year when pink is popping up across the country for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but how do you know your donation is going to the right people?

We spoke with the Better Business Bureau to find out.

Scammers will use the ribbon and use the pink, but they certainly aren't using it for the cause.

Representatives with the Better Business Bureau say its important to give, but you must give smart.

They say it's important to do your homework before you go digging in your wallet.

"Ask lots of questions. Ask for their annual report so you can see what's going on. You can check with the Better Business Bureau to get information on the charity and find out what our review of the charity says about the organization," said Sheri Sword, V.P. of Communications of the BBB.

All you have to do is go online and click on the particular charity you want information about.

"We look at their use of funds. We look at their governance. We look at their solicitations and materials. Once we do those evaluations then we do a report on that charity for donors to be able to look at before they make their giving decisions."

And once you've made your decision, there are still ways to protect yourself.

"You can not give cash. Create that paper trail and write a check or use a credit card so that you have that paper trail if something falls through."

Advocates say its important to not let scammers stop you from supporting people like Amy Kuhnel, a breast cancer survivor who's benefitted tremendously from donations.

"It would be such a shame for the people who needs that funding and those mammograms because that's how I find out about mine is the first mammogram," said Amy Kuhnel, breast cancer survivor.