As scammers seek to exploit holiday generosity, Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona urges consumers to protect well-intentioned donations.

According to the Nonprofit Research Collaborative’s November 2010 Fundraising Survey, the majority of all charitable contributions are made in the last quarter of the year—October to December. Not surprisingly, scammers ramp up efforts during this time in hopes of snagging funds for themselves.

“Charities rely on giving season donations for the following year,” said Kim States, BBB President. “When fraudulent charities or dishonest solicitors intercept donation dollars, it leaves legitimate organizations and those they serve in a difficult position.”

BBB Foundation’s Charity Review Program, which has comprehensive local Charity Reviews, has compiled top tips to protect consumers and their donations:

Verify Validity: Don’t let emotional appeals and high pressure tactics dictate donations. Visit tucson.bbb.org/charity to research local BBB Charity Reviews. Utilize online search engines and databases like GuideStar.org and CharityNavigator.org.

Spotlight Spending: According to BBB’s 20 Standards of Charity Accountability, publicly soliciting charities should spend at least 65 percent of total expenses on program activities. Be leery when solicitors declare that all proceeds go to the cause, but fail to substantiate claims. Seek out the Internal Revenue Service Form 990 from publicly soliciting charities; this form should be made available with appeals.

Protect Payments: Avoid giving cash and make checks payable to charities, not individual solicitors. Always request receipts or confirmation codes for donations.

Find more wise giving tips and BBB Charity Reviews at tucson.bbb.org/charity or give.org

Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is warning consumers about bogus charities that could be set up under the guise of assisting victims of the Monument Fire.

“Sadly, con-artists come out of the woodwork at times like this,” said Kim States, president of the local BBB. “Scammers follow the headlines to stay on top of what’s going to get to the hearts and wallets of people who want to help.”

Many scam artists will contact consumers and businesses by phone, mail, or door-to-door solicitation and use high-pressure sales tactics to get donations. Some will go as far as setting up Websites to get your money.

States says the best way to protect yourself is not react to high pressure tactics.

“Take time to verify the legitimacy of the appeal,” she adds. “If it’s a legitimate charity they will take your money just as willingly tomorrow or next week.”

BBB offers the following tips:

• Get the full name of the organization that is soliciting to ensure the charity you are contributing to is the one you think it is. In an attempt to fool consumers, some scam artists set up charities under names that sound very similar to mainstream relief organizations.
• If you’re giving to a charity that promises to provide relief to victims, make sure the organization is experienced in disaster relief. There are many logistics involved with getting relief to victims, (more…)