Today is #GivingTuesday, a day of charitable giving that takes place every year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Fraud cases tend to increase on days like these, taking advantage of people’s goodwill.

Avoid being duped by following the Better Business Bureau‘s tips on donating with confidence.

• Review the basic giving tips that are found on Give.org. Among other things, take the time to find out more about the charity before you make the donation.
  1. Get the charity’s exact name. With so many charities in existence, mistaken identity is a common problem. Thousands of charities have “cancer” in their name, for example, but no connection with one another.
  2. Resist pressure to give on the spot, whether from a telemarketer or door-to-door solicitor.
  3. Be wary of heart-wrenching appeals. What matters is what the charity is doing to help.
  4. Press for specifics. If the charity says it’s helping the homeless, for example, ask how and where it’s working.
  5. Check websites for basics. A charity’s mission, program and finances should be available on its site. If not, check for a report at www.give.org.
  6. Check with state charity officials. In many states, charities are required to register, usually with the office of the attorney general, before soliciting. 
  7. Don’t assume that every soliciting organization is tax exempt as a charity. You can readily check an organization’s tax status at: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organizations-select-check
  
• Verify the charity’s trustworthiness. See if the organization meets the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability by accessing BBB charity reports on the website of BBB Wise Giving Alliance.
  
• When making a contribution, go directly to the charity’s website to help ensure they receive your gift. Be cautious about social media messages that claim to provide easy access donation links to a familiar sounding charity name.

For additional advice on donating on Giving Tuesday, visit BBB Wise Giving Alliance.