How To Safely Participate In GivingTuesday Across Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County will observe GivingTuesday on Nov. 28, and residents who can are being encouraged to support local nonprofit organizations.

GivingTuesday is observed annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, and serves as a reminder of the positive impact made by giving back to those in need.

"The spirit of giving is deeply rooted in the fabric of our community, and we believe that coming together on GivingTuesday can make a meaningful impact on the lives of those who need it most," said First District Supervisor Kevin Jeffries. "Together, we can strengthen the bonds that make Riverside County a vibrant and compassionate place to live."

Participating in GivingTuesday can include financial donations to local nonprofit organizations, volunteering or other forms of support.

"We can't achieve our mission of helping residents grow and thrive without the vital work of nonprofits," said County Executive Officer Jeff Van Wagenen. "In many communities, nonprofits can simply go further in the community than we can. They are trusted partners, and we regularly work with them to provide housing, access to healthcare and other safety net services."

Giving to charity should include protecting yourself in the process. To ensure your financial contributions are used for those in need, the California Attorney General's Office offered these tips on how to donate safely and avoid charity fraud:

• Check the Registration Status: Charities and professional fundraisers soliciting donations in California are required to register with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts. They are also required to file annual financial reports. Before you donate, make sure to confirm that the charity is registered and up to date with its financial reporting. The Registry of Charitable Trust’s Registry search tool allows you to search the Registry’s database and verify whether a charitable organization or fundraiser has complied with the Attorney General’s registration and reporting requirements.
• Give to Organizations You Trust: Always do your research before making a donation. Review the charity’s annual financial reports to find out how much of your donation will actually be spent on the charitable cause, as well as how much, or if any, will go to overhead and employee compensation. Research charities in your community and support those that make a positive impact.
• Don’t Be Pressured by Telemarketers: If you receive a call from a telemarketer, do not fall for pressure tactics or threats. Remember, you have the right to decline a donation request and can hang up. If you are interested in donating to a particular organization, you can visit their website or contact them directly to get more information.
• Be Cautious of "Look-Alike" and Fake Websites and Emails: Be on the lookout for websites and emails that use slightly different web addresses (URLs) or email addresses in order to pass off as a legitimate charity. Scammers sometimes purchase these types of URLs or create fake email accounts in order to trick potential donors into donating to a look-alike website or steal your information. Be careful of fake websites by closely looking at the web address, and be cautious of web addresses that end in a series of numbers. If a charity’s website or email is asking for your detailed personal information — such as your Social Security Number, date of birth, or your bank account number — it may likely be a scam.
• Watch Out for Similar-Sounding Names and Other Deceptive Tactics: Some organizations use names that closely resemble those of well-established charitable organizations in order to mislead donors. Additionally, if you receive an email from an organization to which you have never donated, take extra precautions before clicking on any links. Be skeptical if someone thanks you for a pledge or donation that you never made, as scammers use this trick to deceive you into paying them. If you are unsure whether or not you made a donation, make sure to check your records.
• Be Wary of Peer-to-Peer Social Network Fundraising: Do not assume charitable fundraising that you see online or on social media are legitimate, even if the charitable campaign is shared by someone that you trust. If you plan to donate through a social network solicitation, do your research and find out whether your donation is going directly to a charity or to the person who created the campaign, whether the person who created the campaign will keep a portion of your donation, or if you will be charged a fee for donating.
• Protect Your Identity: Never give your Social Security number, credit card information, or other personal identifiable information in response to a charitable solicitation. Some organizations may sell or rent their donor lists to other organizations, including organizations that are not charities. Before making a donation, review the charity’s privacy policy to find out if your information will be shared with outside companies.
• Be Careful When Making Electronic Donations: Electronic donations — such as donations made via text, QR Codes, and portable credit card readers have become common practice due to their ability to provide a quick and easy way to donate on the spot. While convenient, remember that anyone can create a QR code, send a text, or buy a portable card reader. Always confirm that the solicitation was submitted by a charity, or that the person facilitating the transaction is authorized to receive donations on behalf of a charity. Always check your receipt and your credit card/online payment method] statement to ensure that the transaction charged to your account is accurate.

For more information on how to protect yourself against charity fraud, visit the OAG's donation tips webpage at https://oag.ca.gov/donations.