The Illinois Attorney General is urging donors to make wise decisions when giving to charities

(WIFR) – With Giving Tuesday and the start of the holiday season, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning those who want to give back to make sure they do their homework.

Illinois law requires fundraisers and charities to register with the attorney general’s office each year.

“I encourage potential donors to read my Charitable Trust Bureau’s tips before donating for Giving Tuesday and during the holidays,” Raoul said. “I will continue to offer resources to Illinois residents who make charitable donations to ensure their generous donations are used for their intended purpose.”

The Attorney General’s Office recommends the following tips before making a charitable donation:

• Research a charity to make sure it is legitimate. Don’t assume that charity recommendations on social media have already been evaluated.
• Ask how much of your donation goes to the charity and how much goes to cover donation costs. The organizers must provide you with this information upon request.

• Pay close attention to the name of the charity. Some fake charities use names that sound or look like those of legitimate organizations to mislead you.

• Ask questions about the charity. Don’t donate until your questions are answered and you’re confident your money will be used as expected. For example, ask questions about whether the charity is registered with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and what percentage of the money the charity takes in goes to fundraising, administration and charitable programs.

• Be careful when donating online. Spam emails that appear to be linked to charities could be from scammers. Be wary of unknown charities online.

• Do not pay in cash or send peer-to-peer payments using apps like Venmo or Zelle. For security and tax reasons, pay by check, credit card or any form of payment for which you have a record. Be sure to include the charity’s full legal name on your check – do not use abbreviations.

• Request written information. A legitimate charity will provide you with information about its mission, how your donation will be distributed, and proof that your contribution is tax deductible.

• Do not donate if the charity or organization uses pressure tactics, demands cash payment, or insists on sending someone to pick up your donation. These are all signs of a scam.

The Attorney General’s Office encourages donors to make notes about the dates and times they were contacted and/or donated, the names of people they spoke to, and details about the offer.

People can report suspicious donation requests by contacting Attorney General Raoul’s Charitable Trust Bureau online or by calling 312-814-2595. Donors can also view charity information such as revenue, costs and programs on the Attorney General’s website.

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