United Way of Kitsap County, together with United Way of America, recently denounced the activities of an organization identifying itself as the “United Ways Charity Foundation.”
   The existence of this organization and its website (www.uniteways.org) – strikingly similar to the legitimate www.unitedway.org address, except for a missing “d” and an added “s” – appears to be designed to create confusion among potential United Way donors and supporters and possibly to defraud those interested in contributing to the United Way.
   “We believe those behind this activity lure users to the website and convince them to provide access to personal bank account information supposedly for purposes of receiving and transferring charitable contributions,” said Patricia Turner, general counsel of United Way of America. “The group representing itself via this web site is not affiliated with or acting on behalf of United Way of America or any other local United Way organization.”
   United Way of America, on behalf of the 1,400 community-based United Way organizations nationwide, has reported this organization to the appropriate federal and state authorities — including the Federal Trade Commission — and demanded that it immediately cease use of the United Way name. Appropriate action is being taken at the local level to assure potential United Way donors that this group is not affiliated with the United Way system.
   In a time of increased scrutiny of all nonprofit organizations, United Way of Kitsap County supports these efforts to clarify the activities of a group falsely representing itself as connected to the United Way movement.
   Reach the United Way at (360) 377-8505 if you have questions.