If you feel strongly for a particular cause or charity, you may decide to show your support with a donation. Whether it's money or tangible items, your donation should go where you want it to. Unfortunately, not every organization is the same. Some scammers set up fake companies to take advantage of the public’s generosity. They are particularly active in the wake of a tragedy or disaster.

You can lessen your chances of being a victim of a charity scam by: 

• Doing your research.
• Looking up ratings or reviews of the charity.
• Being mindful of how you’re donating monetarily.

Take a look at some tips to better understand charitable giving, and help you identify and report any charity scams.