By Staff
CASSOPOLIS - As the victims of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama cope with the aftermath of last week's devastation, millions of Americans are opening their hearts and wallets.
Cass County Sheriff Joseph M. Underwood Jr., warns local citizens to be cautious with their charity.
Underwood offers the following tips for those who wish to help victims of Hurricane Katrina:
Do not open e-mail requests for donations from unfamiliar sources.
Many are from identity thieves and the messages may contain viruses that will attack your computer or take you to a "spoofed" Web site that will steal your personal financial information.
The best rule of thumb is for you to contact the charity directly, preferably by telephone.
If you are uncertain whether a charity is legitimate, contact the Attorney General's Office at 517/373-1152 or the local office of the Better Business Bureau.
 Donate to charities that have a proven track record such as the American Red Cross, United Way of America and the Salvation Army.
All three offer either immediate relief or help in rebuilding communities.
If you have received suspicious e-mails or phone calls, Underwood recommends the following steps:
If you have received a fraudulent e-mail, you should file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.IC2.gov).
If you have information about a scam or have been victimized, contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division toll-free at 877/765-8388.
The sheriff reminds citizens that his professional organization, the Michigan Sheriffs' Association (MSA) is a legitimate 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization.
Contributions to MSA are tax-deductible.