Tips to avoid fake charity scams this giving season

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — This giving season, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody wants to make sure generous Floridians don’t get scammed while trying to donate to charities.

On Giving Tuesday, Moody released a new consumer protection resource for donors called “Scams at a Glance: Charity Scams.” Click here to read the guide in English and here to read it in Spanish.

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“Before giving, do your research to make sure the organization seeking donations isn’t a sham charity set up to steal your money or your personal information,” Moody said in a statement.

Below are several tips included in the guide:

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• Before donating, ensure the charity is an accredited organization with the Better Business Bureau by searching the BBB Wise Giving Alliance website at Give.org.

• Research how donations are used by the charity. Visit CharityNavigator.org to see the organization’s spending breakdown.

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• Do not provide banking information to someone who sends an unsolicited call or email on behalf of a charity. If you are interested in donating, ask that the charity mail information and a pledge form.

• Pay close attention to a charity’s name. It is not unusual for scammers to create sham charities with names similar to those of legitimate, well-known charities.

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BBB alerts about holiday scams (NCD)

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