Know Your Charity |
Never
give to a charity you know nothing about. Ask for literature and read it. Ask
questions. Honest charities encourage you to do so. |
Find Out Where Your Money Goes |
Ask
how much of your charity dollars go for fund-raising, administrative and general expenses,
and how much is left for the program you want to support. |
Don't Yield To Pressure |
Don't
let yourself be pressured into giving and don't feel you have to contribute on the
spot. No legitimate organization will expect you to contribute immediately. Be
wary of charities offering to send a courier to collect your donation immediately. |
Demand Identification |
Ask
for identification for both the solicitor and the charity. If the solicitor
refuses, hang up and report it to local law enforcement authorities. |
Beware of The Name Game |
Don't
be fooled by a convincing name. A crooked charity will often have an impressive
name, or one that closely resembles the name of a respected organization. Especially
beware of copycat businesses whose titles may differ by as little as terms like
"association," "federation," "national,"
"American," and "foundation." |
Never Pay Cash--Never Give Your Credit Card Number Over the
Phone |
When
making donations, simply make a check out to the charity itself, not to the paid
solicitor, and use the charity's full name. That way you have a record of the
contribution and the money goes directly to the charity. |
Slow Down Telephone Solicitors |
Refuse
to commit yourself on the first call. If the charity sounds worthwhile, ask for
written information. A typical scheme: fast talking private companies reap
enormous profits selling household goods over the telephone under the guise of helping the
disabled. These products cost several times their retail value and benefit the
disabled minimally, if at all. |
Beware of Solicitation Gimmicks |
Use
caution when purchasing products or tickets or when receiving free merchandise.
These methods of fund-raising may be legitimate, but they add costs to the fund-raising
campaign which are deducted from your donations. Be especially cautious about
sweepstakes which may request more money than the prize is worth, or may never even
provide a prize at all. |
When in Doubt |
Contact
us to find out if the charity is properly registered, and to order registration and
financial information about the organization.
- Write -- Secretary of State, State Capitol, Room 157-K, 1900
Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, WV 25305
- E-mail -- charities@wvsos.com
- Call -- 304-558-6000
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