State Warns of Holiday Charity Scams

The Department of Consumer Protection has a warning about illegitimate charities that might want to make a quick buck this holiday season.

After all, the season of giving is here, and with it often comes an extra sense of generosity.

“People have a heightened sense of wanting to give back, wanting to help other people,” said DCP Commissioner Jonathan Harris.

Commissioner Harris notes, people who want to give back might want to take a few extra steps to learn where the money goes once donated, and if the charity of choice is even a charity at all.

“Come up with that plan,” said Harris. “And go to the places that you know as best as possible are legitimate.”

Almost 150 people filed charity-related complaints to the DCP in the past year, tripling the number of complaints filed in 2015.

Commissioner Harris says that has to do in part with the department’s increased efforts to make sure charities state-wide are compliant.

Still, he urges consumers do their homework.

“You should look up www.elicense.ct.gov to see if it’s a registered or exempt charity,” said Harris. “That’s very important to show some legitimacy.”

Websites like Guidestar and Charity Navigator offer a breakdown of how much money actually gets donated.

“And if somebody calls you and it seems like it might be legitimate, don’t do anything, don’t engage right then,” said Harris. “Get off the phone, go on the Internet, do some research, (and) go directly to that particular organization.”

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