|
 |
Attorney General Mike DeWine
DeWine Offers
Charitable Giving Tips
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today offered
charitable giving tips ahead of “Giving Tuesday,” the Tuesday after
Thanksgiving, when donors are urged to make charitable contributions
amid the holiday shopping season.
“We know many Ohioans will give generously this time of year, and we
encourage them to do so,” Attorney General DeWine said. “We also want
to help ensure that their charitable contributions end up in the right
hands. Unfortunately, some con artists collect donations and put them
in their own pockets. Awareness and prevention are critical.”
Charities throughout the country use the last month of the year to seek
support from donors. At the same time, scammers also compete for these
contributions. Con artists may pose as reputable charity
representatives and collect donations by phone, online, or outside
stores. They claim to support a charitable cause, but ultimately they
keep the money for themselves.
To detect and avoid potential charity scams, donors should:
Develop a giving plan. Determine which charities you want to support.
Respond to unexpected or unwanted requests by explaining that you
already have a giving plan. Invite other groups to provide you with
written information so you can evaluate their requests.
Research charities. Find out if an organization is registered with the
Ohio Attorney General’s Office, verify its tax-exempt status with the
IRS’s Exempt Organizations Select Check, and gather data from
organizations such as the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance,
Charity Watch, and Charity Navigator. View the organization’s IRS Form
990 on Guidestar. Review program descriptions, expenses, compensation
levels, and other details. Conduct a basic internet search to review a
group’s accomplishments or questionable activity.
Ask how your donation will be used. Keep in mind that some charitable
giving requests come from professional solicitors who are paid to
collect donations. Solicitors should identify themselves, and if you
ask, tell you what percentage of your donation will go to the charity.
Also contact charities directly to find out how they use donations. Get
information in writing. Compare a charity’s materials with information
you gather from other sources.
Watch for red flags. Be wary of high-pressure tactics, requests for
checks made out to an individual (instead of a charity), and people who
are unable or unwilling to answer questions about their organization.
Don’t provide your credit card number or other personal information to
callers who contact you unexpectedly.
To help protect businesses and their customers from charity donation
scams, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office provides “A Charity Guide for
Businesses,” which encourages businesses to evaluate charitable
solicitation requests, such as requests to set up a donation table
outside a store. The guide includes a sample approval form businesses
can use in their vetting process.
Those who suspect a charity scam or questionable fundraising activities
should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at
www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 800-282-0515. The Ohio Attorney
General’s Charitable Law Section provides oversight to make sure
donations are not misappropriated and that charitable proceeds are used
for charitable purposes.
|
|
|
|
