Better Business Bureau Offers Tips on Giving This Holiday Season

Today is Giving Tuesday and as the Christmas holiday season gets underway many of us will be donating to charities as part of our holiday giving.

With that in mind, the Better Business Bureau is urging people to give wisely.

Northeast Georgia Better Business Bureau President Fred Elsberry said people should be very careful when considering where to donate their money not only during the holidays, but all year round.

Elsberry says a good rule of thumb is to donate to organizations that you would normally donate to at other times of the year.

And he warns people to avoid those groups who call you by phone and use high-pressure tactics to get your money.

“If you feel any pressure at all, people are saying ‘This is the Christmas season. We need to raise as much as we can during this season,” that pressure should be your first signal to back off. Legitimate charities can use your generosity all the time, throughout the year, not just at the time of Christmas,” said Elsberry.

Additionally, Elsberry said to be on the lookout for fraud attempts.

He said don’t give out your credit card or bank account numbers over the phone and don’t be fooled by organization names that closely resemble the names of well-known organizations but are not that actual organization.

Elsberry says people should seek out as much information as possible on any group they are considering donating to.

“Just remember you don’t really know who these people are that are calling you. They can certainly be legitimate charities, but the one way for sure is to just tell them, ‘You know I don’t really have time. I’m really interested but I need you to send me some information. So, send me your financials, send me information on your program and I’ll be happy to give it some thought. If there’s any hesitancy in sending you information, that’s not a legitimate charity. Most legitimate charities are more than happy to send you information, particularly with the hope you will be able to donate to it in time,” said Elsberry.

Other tips include, ask how much of the charity’s income is spent on services as opposed to fundraising and administrative costs.

Also do some research before purchasing an item on behalf of a charity to see how much of the money from the purchase actually benefits the charity.

Overall, Elsberry says the Better Business Bureau wants to ensure people are making sure their donation is doing as much good as possible.

“We don’t want to discourage giving. There’s a lot of need for charity throughout our world and our country and our state. We should respond to that. We just need to be sure that of the money we give, most of it goes to the programs we want it to. That’s where checking it out, just being a wise giver will work to your advantage any time during the year,” said Elsberry.

For more information, go online to www.BBB.Org/Atlanta or check out national charities by going to www.give.Org.