During the season of giving, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert for residents to take steps against scam prevention before donating to charity.
Bonta joined the food pantry organization Second Harvest of Silicon Valley in San Mateo on Thursday to share tips on how residents can ensure their donations get into the right hands.
“This holiday season, we’re standing with Second Harvest and organizations throughout California to deliver an important message: Before donating to charitable organizations this holiday season make sure to do your research and ensure the charity is legitimate,” Bonta said. “My office is committed to protecting donors from deceptive solicitations.”
Bonta encourages residents to check the registration status of charities, as all professional organizations soliciting donations in California are required to be registered in the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts and file annual financial reports. Residents can search the registry’s database via the Registry Verification Search tool to see if a charity has followed state requirements, and how much of their donations go towards people in need.
Residents should also take their time to ask questions when on the phone with a pressuring telemarketer, said Bonta. Residents should ask basic questions to learn the fundraiser’s name, registration status…
