In the midst of holiday cheer, it can be easy to get caught in the spirit of giving and forget to protect your own assets. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website offers a number of tips, but Department Spokesman Sterling Ivey says one of the easiest precautions is checking to make sure any charity you plan to donate to is registered.
He says they see a number of complaints filed against false charities, especially this time of year.
Ivey says some charities may use high pressure tactics and sales techniques to bully you in to donating, but any situation that doesn’t feel right probably isn’t. Although there are a number of opportunities to be scammed, Ivey says there are legitimate, reputable charities that need assistance this time of year.