GUIDELINES FOR DONATIONS TO CHARITIES

To guard against being taken advantage of, follow these guidelines when donating to charities:

• Check out organizations you're unfamiliar with, or whose names are similar to well-known charities. You can do this by visiting the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance or by contacting them at this address:

  BBB
  Wise Giving Alliance
  4200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 800
  Arlington, VA 22203

• If you're unfamiliar with the charity, ask for its annual report and financial statement. If the organization is not willing to provide these financial documents, you should immediately be suspicious.
• Make checks payable to an organization only--never an individual.
• Be suspicious of solicitors who say they will accept your donation in cash only (con artists want cash so there will be no paper trail for authorities to follow).
• Report any suspicious organizations.