In celebration of “Giving Tuesday” approaches, charities ramp up their efforts to secure funding.

So do bad actors wanting to capitalize on both the hectic nature and the genuine altruism of the holiday season.

Before you donate to a charity, please consider the following five tips:

• If a charity pushes you to donate quickly, it’s probably a scam. Take your time and do your research. We recommend Charity Navigator to evaluate an unfamiliar charity.
• Do not donate to charities that ask you to donate via cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers.
• If you intend to direct your Required Minimum Distribution to a charity for tax purposes, make sure it is a 501(c)(3) public charity.
• Don’t trust your caller ID if a charity contacts you by phone. If you’re interested in donating, do not do so over the phone. Ask for contact information or a web address so you can follow up.
• Be wary of crowdfunding and social media platforms. While these can highlight legitimate needs, they are not well-monitored and can be easy vehicles for people with bad intentions.

Ideally, you can take time to plan your annual charitable donations during a less hectic period, so you can research each charity thoroughly and understand the impact of your donation.

If you have any questions about charitable donations, please contact us. We’d be glad to help.