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Charities
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MAKE
YOUR DONATIONS COUNT
The Delaware Department of Justice -
Attorney General’s Office enforces the
Delaware Charitable/Fraternal Solicitation
Act of 1966.
Don't become a victim of charity fraud.
Give wisely. Use the information below to
make your donations count.
HOW TO HANDLE CHARITABLE SOLICITATIONS
Regardless of the format of the
solicitation either mail or telephone, if
you don't know or recognize the person or
charity, ASK QUESTIONS.
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Ask
for identification.
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Ask
for written information about the
charity, including name address and
telephone number.
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Do
not be afraid to hang up if you are
not comfortable with the solicitation.
Be wary if the person refuses to give
the information requested.
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Be
cautious of appeals that tug your
heart strings, especially involving
patriotism, natural disasters or
current events.
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Watch
for similar sounding names. Be wary of
copy-cat organizations.
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Refuse
high pressure appeals. Remember
legitimate fund-raisers will not push
you to give on the spot.
BEFORE
YOU OPEN YOUR CHECKBOOK
Check out the charity with the following
tools:
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Call
the charity. Find out if the
organization is aware of the
solicitation and has authorized the
use of its name.
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Check
with local recipients. If a charity
tells you that dollars will support a
local organization such as a fire
department, police department or a
hospital, call the organization to
verify the claim.
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Check
out the charity websites and with
organizations that evaluate charities:
BBB Wise
Giving Alliance www.give.org
American
Institute of Philanthropy www.charitywatch.org
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For
many organizations financial
information may be found online at:
www.guidestar.org
www.charitynavigator.org
HOW
TO REPORT CHARITY FRAUD
If you believe you are a victim of
charitable solicitations fraud, contact
the Delaware Attorney Generals office at
the address below:
Delaware
Department of Justice
Attn: Charity Enforcement
820 North French Street, 5th Floor
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
Phone: (302) 577-8600 or (800) 220-5424
Fax: (302) 577-6499
Email: consumer.protection@state.de.us
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