The Kansas attorney general is warning consumers to be careful to avoid scams when they make donations.
Attorney General Derek Schmidt said the public should make sure they are donating to a reputable charity and to specify that a charity uses donations for intended purposes.
“When natural disasters strike, it is human nature to offer help,” Schmidt said. “But, please donate wisely to established, legitimate disaster-relief charities.”
Schmidt offered a few simple tips for donating, to avoid being scammed:
• Make donations to established organizations with a strong track record of organizing and providing disaster relief.
• Be careful with social media efforts to fundraise for storm victims.
• Initiate the donation yourself, rather than responding to online or phone solicitations. If you wish to make a donation online, go directly to the charity’s website; don’t just click a link to an unknown site.
• Avoid door-to-door solicitors or offers from charities to stop by a consumer’s home to pick up a check. These too could be fraudulent.
• Do not fall prey to high-pressure pitches from solicitors. Legitimate charities allow you time to think about how much — and when — you choose to donate.
• Be wary of charities that ask for alternate forms of payment. Legitimate charities rarely if ever ask you to give by wire transfer.
• Before giving, check out the charity at www.kscharitycheck.org to assess whether it is registered to solicit in Kansas and to see important aspects of its financial filings, including how much of any money you give will be spent on the charity’s overhead expenses rather than going to support the charitable purpose, such as hurricane relief efforts. However, some charities are exempt by law from registration.
More information on avoiding charity scams is available on the attorney general’s consumer protection website at www.InYourCornerKansas.org.
Injuries were reported on Wednesday evening in an accident at K-7 and Hollingsworth Road in Kansas City, Kansas.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol trooper’s report, a Toyota Corolla was driving westbound on Hollingsworth Road and attempting to cross K-7 when it struck a Kia Optima that was traveling northbound on K-7.
The two vehicles spun off, according to the report.
The driver of the Corolla, a 58-year-old Kansas City, Kansas, woman, was injured and taken to a hospital, according to the trooper’s report.
A 73-year-old Plantersville, Texas, man who was a passenger in the Corolla also was injured and taken to a hospital, the report stated.
The driver of the Kia Optima, a 22-year-old woman from Lawrence, Kansas, had a possible injury, the report stated.
Gas prices have jumped again in Kansas City, Kansas, as oil refinery production has diminished after Hurricane Harvey.
Gasoline prices jumped again in Kansas City, Kansas, as some Texas oil refineries were not in service because of Hurricane Harvey.
Most Kansas City, Kansas, gas prices are higher than the national average of $2.44 cited by AAA. Several were at $2.65 to $2.67 on Thursday morning.
AAA reported the current average gas price in Kansas City, Kansas, at $2.47 per gallon; however, prices may have jumped again here since AAA’s report. A quick glance at this morning’s gas prices in Kansas City, Kansas, showed that most were above $2.59. On Monday evening, the Wyandotte Daily saw several gas stations already at $2.47 per gallon here.
One week ago, according to AAA, gas prices were $2.29 in Kansas City, Kansas, and one year ago, $2.27 per gallon.
Posted prices on Thursday morning included:
$2.59 at AmStar at 56th and Leavenworth Road, and other gas stations in that area;
$2.37 at Sam’s Club at 108th and Parallel Parkway (membership required);
$2.66 at Quik Trip at 82nd and Parallel Parkway;
$2.63 at S&A at 73rd and Leavenworth Road;
$2.67 at BP at 77th and Leavenworth Road and at BP at 77th and Parallel Parkway;
$2.65 at Cenex at 86th and State Avenue.
See earlier story at http://wyandottedaily.com/how-much-is-gas-2/.
Check out the AAA gas prices throughout the country at http://gasprices.aaa.com/.
