Tips for Consumers about Charity Scams:

• Request Details about the Charity: Any legitimate charity should be prepared to provide their address and full incorporation name. The address is critical because many fake charities will have vague names, which sound like real charities, the address will help verification. If they cannot provide this information, walk away.
• Verify Charity through IRS: The Internal Revenue Service certifies charities and publishes this information for the public benefit. Before giving money to the organization, review Publication 78 to verify the organization. This data is refreshed regularly and even charities certifiedwithin the last week should be listed8. You can even call the IRS at 1-877-829-5500 to verify a charity with a live person.
• Check with State Attorney General about Local Charities: For local charities, check with your state attorneys general and the secretary of state. State AG's will investigate fake charities and the secretary of state publishes filings for legitimate organizations.
• Be Careful About Door-to-Door Solicitors: Avoid stuffing cash into a can shoved in your face by a stranger, wiring money or giving out credit card information to someone who called your phone. Just because someone shows up at your house with a clipboard does not mean they are legitimate. Ask them to give you literature and then verify the information yourself. If they will not identify themselves, call the police.