SPRINGFIELD — If you want to donate to charity before the end of the year, you’ve got a week left. But scammers are looking to take advantage of your giving spirit.
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News Center 7 looked into how you can protect your donation dollars.
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We met John and Ann Hogberg, from Centerville, donating clothes at the Goodwill store in Kettering recently.
“Makes us feel good,” John said. “Knowing we’re helping somebody else that we don’t know and that we can help.”
“Goodwill is a good institution or company that we like to donate to,” Ann added. “Because we know it helps people.”
Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley said customer donations like the ones the Hogbergs made directly support their mission.
“Everything gets sold here in the store and the proceeds support those 40 programs that we have,” said Matt Arntz, Director of Retail and Facilities for Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley.
Goodwill says they’re getting plenty of donations lately.
“It’s a really good time of year for us,” Arntz said. “(We’re) real fortunate to have folks think of us.”
Several local charities tell News Center 7 this is their “busy season.”
“(November through January) is the busiest we ever are,” said Michelle Lovely, Senior Vice President of Donor and Development Services for The Dayton Foundation.
That’s true The Dayton Foundation helps people in the Miami Valley help others through philanthropy and community leadership.
“We probably process … a half or so of our gifts this time of year,” Lovely said.
But sadly, there are criminals trying to get your donation dollars. To protect your money, don’t respond to phone calls. Instead, research charities and ask them to send you information.
“There are sometimes copycat organizations, so it’ll be similar to a name that you’ve heard, but not the exact name,” Lovely has previously told News Center 7. “Ask for their tax I.D. number (and) other information that you can use to research them.”
In an interview last week, Lovely added, “Sometimes those copycat organizations are trying to get you to make an immediate decision, maybe buying gift cards or sending a wire or doing something on the spot.”
When it comes to doing your research on a charity before donating, The Dayton Foundation told News Center 7 in a statement, in part: “Don’t be in a hurry. Research the cause or organization you wish to support before making your donation. There are more than 9,000 not-for-profits in the Dayton area. By getting to know the organizations that are at work in our community, you can determine which organization best fits your giving goals. Visit the organization’s website, research them on candid.org, or call and speak to someone personally at the charity to verify that they are efficient, ethical, and effective.”
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office has told News Center 7 that no legitimate charity will ever ask you for cash, gift cards, or money orders.
Other red flags include: if an organization can’t tell you how your donation will be used, if they won’t give you a callback number, or if they ask for personal information like your Social Security number or date of birth.
One more thing you can do is research charities that are in good standing here in Ohio on the Ohio Attorney General’s Office website.
