Some Spanish Banks are charging commission on donations to Haiti

Some Spanish Banks are charging commission on donations to Haiti
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By h.b. - Jan 19, 2010 - 6:31 AM

The ONG ADRA handing out aid in Haiti - Photo EFE

Many consumers groups have issued warnings to the public

Following reports that some Spanish banks have been charging commissions on donations for Haiti, several consumers associations, including Facua-Consumers in Action and Ausbanc, have made a call on them to stop doing so on any monies being sent as humanitarian aid.

The commission have been charged when the money is transferred from one bank to another, and to be sure that all your money goes in aid you are advised to make the donation in your own bank to an account at the same bank or by credit card. You can also check at your branch if any commission is being charged.

Caja Madrid have dropped their charges collaborating with several ONG’s, as have Banco Sabadell, while la Caixa allows transfers by credit card for those who are not clients.

There is no legal obligation for banks to drop their commissions in such cases, but it has for some time been regarded as good practice for them to do so.

Also it is sad to report that fraudsters are already sending out fake emails in the name of non-governmental organisations. FACUA commented that it is all too common in this type of tragedy.

Meanwhile in Haiti Spanish rescue teams are reported to be responsible for the rescue of between seven and ten trapped people, and continue to work at some sites. International teams as a whole have found 69 people alive.

The Spanish Embassy has now located 99 of the 111 Spaniards thought to have been on the island at the time of the quake a week ago.

The Spanish Government has made a medium term pledge of 141 million € in aid to Haiti to go in particular on the re-building of the capital Port-au-Prince.

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