In these sometimes difficult economic Find Out How The Will CharityWatch Beware of Sweepstakes times, the average consumer is Spend Your Hard-earned Dollars P.O. Box 578460 “Guaranteed prizes” often have a bombarded from all sides with pleas for Chicago, IL 60657 value of ten cents or less and probably charitable contributions. Unfortunately, Before you donate, find out about 773-529-2300 will not cover the cost of your postage. there are charities that are dishonest the charity’s finances and programs. www.charitywatch.org Read the small print because it will about the nature and quality of the Find out how much of your usually reveal that your chance of services they provide. When you goes to helping people and program GuideStar winning is one in 100,000 or greater. contribute to a charity, you should make services as opposed to 4801 Courthouse St., Suite 220 Sweepstakes generally do not provide sure that the money is used in the same and administrative expenses. Williamsburg, VA 23188 much benefit to the charity or to you, careful, efficient manner as the dollars 757-229-4631 so think carefully before you you spend on your own personal Financial information may be www.guidestar.org participate. purchases and investments. Consider obtained by calling the the following before deciding to Pennsylvania Department of State, Telephone Solicitations Professional Solicitors contribute to any particular charity: Bureau of Charitable Organizations. Because telephone solicitations are Prior to orally requesting a contribution, typically conducted by paid or at the time of any written request, Before Giving Also… professional fundraisers on behalf of professional solicitors are required to the charity, ask the caller if he/she is clearly and conspicuously disclose their Know Your Charity Pennsylvania law requires that most paid or a volunteer, and how much the name as on file with the Bureau of Before you make a donation, ask for charities register with the Department charity receives from each dollar Charitable Organizations, that the written information, including the of State Bureau of Charitable donated. solicitation is made by a professional charity’s name, address, and telephone Organizations to legally solicit solicitor who is being paid for his/her number. A legitimate charity or in the state. Door-to-Door Solicitations services, the individual’s legal name, the Demand identification – an honest fundraiser will give you materials legal name of the charity, and a Bureau of Charitable Organizations solicitor will not hesitate to show you outlining the charity’s mission, how your description of how your contribution will Department of State credentials. Do not feel pressured donation will be used, and proof that be utilized. If a telephone solicitor is your contribution is tax-deductible. 207 N. Office Building to contribute on the spot. If you hesitant to reveal any of this information, Harrisburg, PA 17120 decide to donate, mail a check Call the charity. Find out if the 800-732-0999 directly to the charity. you should beware! organization is aware of the solicitation www.dos.state.pa.gov and has authorized the use of its name. Unordered Merchandise Know Your Charity’s Goals If not, you may be dealing with a In addition, you can get information on You have no obligation to pay for, Make sure you agree with the purpose of fraudulent solicitor. Some disreputable various charities from any of the nor are you required to return the charity. You may wish to support a charities will use a name, symbol, or logo following organizations: Merchandise; greeting cards, address “research” oriented charity, not a “patient associated with a respected charity in labels, tickets, etc. – that you never service” charity or one that only order to take advantage of that charity’s asked for and that may be included in provides “public education.” Give to a reputation. Never donate to a charity 139 Harristown Road, Suite 101 a donation appeal. Federal law states charity that best fits your goals. unless you have information about it. Glen Rock, NJ 07452 that you can keep such unrequested 201-818-1288 items without making a contribution. www.charitynavigator.org [email protected]

Before You Volunteer Be skeptical if someone thanks you Don’t agree to solicit for a charity without for a pledge you do not remember The material in this obtaining information about the charity making. If you have any doubt from the Bureau of Charitable whether you’ve made a pledge or brochure Organizations. Remember, your friends previously contributed, check your is for informational and neighbors will feel pressure to records. Be on the alert for invoices contribute if they are asked by someone claiming you’ve made a pledge when purposes only. you know you haven’t. Some they trust. Make sure you earn their trust It is meant to give you by thoroughly checking on the charity. unscrupulous solicitors use this approach to get your money. general information Solicitations for Benefit Shows If tickets to a benefit show are being sold Charities and the Do Not Call and not specific legal with the promise of underprivileged Registry advice. children attending for free, ask how The National Do Not Call Registry (www.donotcall.gov) gives you a way many children will attend the event, how they are chosen, whether free to reduce telemarketing calls, but it exempts charities and political groups. transportation will be provided, and if an accompanying adult is also admitted for However, if a fundraiser is calling on free. Many “benefit show” sponsors fail behalf of a charity, you may ask not to to adequately provide for the children or get any more calls from, or on behalf the adult responsible for their care, and of, that specific charity. If those calls often “over-book” events (for example, continue, the fundraiser may be subject to a fine. selling 1,000 tickets for an event that will County of Bucks seat 200 persons). Provided as a public Department of Do Not Be Pressured Into Giving service by Consumer Protection/ Take time to think about your donation. High pressure tactics and sob stories Weights and Measures often are the signs of unscrupulous Bucks County operators. nd Consumer Protection 55 E. Court St., 2 Floor

Method of Payment and Doylestown, PA 18901

If you decide to contribute, pay by check. The Bucks County Make the check out to the charity, not to 215-348-6060 Commissioners a company or the individual collecting 1-800-942-2669 the donations. Never pay cash or use your credit card number in response to a request by a stranger. www.BucksCounty.org/

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