HARTFORD, Conn. -- Amid reports of 150 people killed, 1,500 injured and tens of thousands left homeless by an earthquake in Italy, Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell Jr. said consumers should check out charities before making donations to aid in relief efforts.

"We see the devastation," he said. "We understand the great financial and personal toll being faced by the survivors and the country, and we want to help in some way. But because scam artists are skilled at exploiting disasters for personal gain, I urge you to donate wisely so that your donations actually reach their intended destination.

"The people of Connecticut, many of them Italian-Americans, have a long history of donating for the relief of earthquake victims in Italy, so I know that there will be fundraising efforts related to this earthquake across the state," he said. "I have traveled in the Abruzzi region in the past and know the strength and perseverance of the Abruzzi people, but there is no question this will be a difficult recovery."

Currently, the only established charity directly involved in the relief effort in the Abruzzi region is the Croce Rossa Italiana -- Italian Red Cross. For information, or to donate, visit the Croce Rossa Italiana Web site.