California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, in recognition of Giving Tuesday, provided tips and released a video with tips for avoiding scams while making charitable donations this holiday season.
"As Californians come together for the greater good,scammers are ready to capitalize on the charitable intent of donors during the holiday season. It is important that we each do our homework and only donate to legitimate and trustworthy organizations," said Becerra. "The California Department of Justice is dedicated to protecting charitable assets and donors from deceptive or misleading solicitations. Help us do that by taking the necessary steps to ensure that your donations get into the right hands."
Becerra encourages donors to do their research to ensure that their donations go towards their intended purpose.
Tips for charitable giving:
- Check Registration Status: Charities operating in California and telemarketers soliciting donations in California are required to register with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts. Check reports on registered charities by clicking here.
- Give to Organizations You Trust: Do your research before giving. Review the charity's purpose and find out how the charity spends donations.
- Don't Be Pressured by Telemarketers – Ask Questions Before Donating: If you receive a call from a telemarketer, ask for the name of the fundraising organization, whether it is registered with the Attorney General's Office, the name of the charity benefiting from the solicitation, how much of your donation will go to charity and how much to the telemarketer, and the direct telephone number of the charity.
- Be Cautious of "Look-Alike" Websites: These fraudulent websites may have a slightly different web address (URL). Similar looking URLs are sometimes purchased to lure in would-be donors. These sites may ask for personal information or install harmful material onto your device.
- Watch Out for Similar-Sounding Names and Other Deceptive Tactics: Some organizations use names that closely resemble those of well-established charitable organizations to mislead donors. Be skeptical if someone thanks you for a pledge you never made.
- Be Wary of Social Network Fundraising: If you are planning to donate through a social network solicitation, find out what percentage is going to the charity, whether you will be charged a fee, or if a percentage of your donation will be paid to the platform website.
- Protect Your Identity: Never give your Social Security number or other personal information in response to a charitable solicitation. Never give out credit card information to an organization unfamiliar to you.