Check out that charity before you write a check.
The Texas Attorney General’s office says that when there are disasters scammers come out asking for money, as well as the legitimate charities.
Door-to-door, telephone and e-mail requests should be treated cautiously and should be fully researched.
When considering donations to a charity you don’t know:
Ask for credentials, including the exact name and telephone number of the organization.
Look out for questionable charities using names that closely resemble those of well-known charities.
Find out how the donation will be used.
Be wary of appeals that are long on emotion and short on descriptions about providing help to those in need.
Don’t succumb to high-pressure tactics and demands for an immediate decision. A legitimate charity welcomes background checks on their operations.
Never give a credit card or bank account number to a telephone solicitor.
Never give cash. Write a check in the name of the charity, not the individual doing the asking, and get a receipt.
Texans who wish to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office regarding suspicious charities may call the Consumer Complaint Hotline at 800-252-8011 or file a complaint online at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov.
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