OKLAHOMA CITY – As the holiday giving season approaches, Attorney General Gentner Drummond is reminding Oklahomans to take precautions to ensure their charitable donations reach legitimate organizations and the causes they care about.
Giving Tuesday is Dec. 2, which is a day that kicks off the busiest charitable giving period of the year. But donors need to be vigilant with their giving.
“Oklahomans are incredibly generous people, and we see the Oklahoma Standard in action especially during the holidays as people show up for their neighbors with kindness and generosity,” said Drummond. “Unfortunately, bad actors seek to exploit that generosity. By taking a few simple steps to verify a charity’s legitimacy, donors can ensure their hard-earned money goes where it’s intended and makes a real difference in people’s lives.”
Drummond formed the Charity Enforcement Unit earlier this year to stop fraudsters, protect donors and ensure charitable organizations comply with state law.
Here are some tips to help Oklahomans give wisely this season.
- Take your time. Legitimate charities will never pressure you to donate immediately. Resist impulse decisions and take time to research the organization.
- Ask key questions. Request the charity’s full name, address and contact information. Ask if donations are tax-deductible; only federally recognized 501(c)(3) organizations qualify. Verify that the charity or its professional fundraisers are registered to solicit in Oklahoma.
- Do some research. Take time to make sure you are giving to a charity you trust. Learn more about its programs and finances, whether it is a tax-exempt entity under federal law and what others say about it.
- Watch for warning signs and trust your gut. Be cautious of organizations that use names or logos similar to well-known charities, apply high-pressure tactics or offer prizes or gimmicks as incentives to donate. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Find more details on how to research charitable organizations and how to file a complaint against a charity at oklahoma.gov/oag/charity.
