Santa Ana : City Advises Caution in Quake Relief Donations

As relief efforts for victims of the Mexico earthquake get into full swing this week, city officials are cautioning residents to watch out for fraudulent collectors.

The warning is a precautionary measure intended to head off “unauthorized agencies” that might attempt to use the situation to solicit funds, said city spokeswoman Estela Gutierrez-Veloz. She said residents should ask collectors for identification and firms should be able to show nonprofit status in California.

Donating directly to the American Red Cross is the best way to avoid any rip-offs, she said. Red Cross spokesman Drew McClelland said he knew of no problems with fraudulent solicitations, noting that checks or money orders can be mailed to the organization at P.O. Box 11264, Santa Ana, Calif. 92711.

He said about $180,000 has been donated in Orange County since the earthquake hit on Sept. 19, including a $100,000 check from the United Way. The funds will go toward “economic revitalization” of the area.