BBB Offers Holiday Giving Tips
As the holiday season continues, the calls for donations will be on the rise.
With that in mind, the Better Business Bureau is urging people to give wisely this holiday season.
Northeast Georgia Better Business Bureau President Fred Elsberry says people should be very careful when considering where to donate their money all year round, not just during the holidays.
Elsberry says a good rule of thumb is to donate to organizations during the holidays that you would donate to at other times of the year as well.
He said people do not need to fall victim to any high-pressure tactics.
“If you feel any pressure at all, that pressure should be your first signal to back off because legitimate charities can use your generosity throughout the year,” said Elsberry.
Elsberry also said people should seek out as much information as possible on any group they are considering donating to.
“If there is any hesitancy in sending you information, that is not a legitimate charity,” said Elsberry. “Most legitimate charities are more than happy to send you information.”
Other tips include asking how much of the charity’s income is spent on services as opposed to fundraising and administrative costs and researching before purchasing an item on behalf of a charity to see how much of the money from the purchase actually benefits the charity.
Also, Elsberry warned people to be on the lookout for fraud attempts.
He said people should not give out their credit card or bank account numbers over the phone and should not be fooled by organization names that closely resemble the name of well-known organizations but are not that actual organization.
Overall, Elsberry said the Better Business Bureau wants to ensure people are making sure their donation is doing as much good as possible.
“We do not want to discourage giving,” said Elsberry. “We just need to be sure the money we give goes where we want it to.”
For more information, go to www.bbb.org/atlanta or check out national charities by going to give.org.