Jim Camp with the Better Business Bureau
/ Sara Jane Harris
COLUMBIA (WACH) - The Better Business Bureau and the Richland County Sherriff’s Department are warning holiday shoppers and donors to be on the lookout for common charity scams this season.
"We give folks the same advice dealing with charities that we do dealing with businesses. Before you transact business with someone to do a service or buy a product, you want to know who it is you're doing business with,” said Jim Camp with the Better Business Bureau.
Camp said there are always more charity scams during the holidays than any other time of year.
And he says avoiding a scam is as simple as doing your homework and sticking with what you know.
"Always start locally because you can learn more about them easier than you can some of the regional or national charities," said Camp.
The Richland County Sheriff's Department is also offering tips on how to avoid a charity scam:
· If solicited by an individual for personal use, don’t give cash; offer to buy the individual food or something to drink, or refer them to a local assistance resource.
· If solicited for an unfamiliar organized charity, ask for literature so you can make an informed decision about giving; any reputable organization will be glad to provide material or a website address where you can check them out.
· To avoid telephone solicitation to the extent possible, sign up for the "National do not call list," If solicited by telephone despite being on the list, simply hang up –it’s your phone.
· If you choose to speak to the solicitor, do not give out credit card numbers or personal information not listed in the directory, and don’t allow the organization to come to your home until you are certain of their reliability. Instead, ask them to send you information so you can make an informed decision and mail in your donation.
· With the exception of local organization, door-to-door sales are often fraudulent, and should be viewed with skepticism.
· If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
To check if the charity you would like to donate to is licensed to operate - please visit the Secretary of State's website.
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