Holiday Charitable Giving Tips

Originally published on Consumer Affairs.com

• Donate to charities that you are familiar with or that are willing to provide additional information upon request.

• Find out how much of your donation will help the cause as opposed to covering fund raising and administrative expenses.

• Never feel pressured into making a donation.

• Always check with the local school, public safety, veterans or law enforcement groups that solicit donations in person or over the telephone. Many scam artists claim to be representing these groups to gain credibility.

• Know the difference between "tax exempt" and "tax deductible" when making a contribution.

• Watch out for similar sounding names. Phony non-profits use names that closely resemble those of respected, legitimate organizations.

• Beware of non-profits offering to send a courier to collect your donation immediately.

• Ask door-to-door solicitors to show you their identification or credentials.

• Never pay cash or use a credit card as payment for a charity you are unsure of. Checks should be written out to the charity not the company or individual collecting the donation.

Enjoy Your Holidays!