This Holiday Season, Attorney General Bonta Issues Charity Consumer Alert, Volunteers with Family Connections Centers

SAN FRANCISCO – Today in San Francisco, California Attorney General Rob Bonta volunteered with Family Connections Centers and shared tips and resources on how Californians can donate safely and avoid scams this holiday season. In his role, Attorney General Bonta has primary regulatory oversight of charities and professional fundraisers who solicit on their behalf in California. The Attorney General may investigate and bring legal action against charities and fundraisers that misuse charitable assets or engage in fraudulent fundraising practices. During this season of giving, Attorney General Bonta encourages donors to take the necessary steps to ensure that their donations get into the correct hands.
 
“This holiday season and throughout the year, Californians support one another by donating their time and money to incredible nonprofit organizations in our state,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Among these impactful organizations is the Family Connections Centers, and I want to extend my gratitude to them for partnering with us to share these critical charity tips. I encourage all Californians to extend a helping hand but be wary of potential scammers who might exploit your generosity and compassion. If you believe that a charity or fundraiser is engaged in misconduct, please report it immediately at oag.ca.gov/charities/complaints.”
 
"Each year, Family Connections Centers provides multilingual and multigenerational education, support services, and basic needs assistance such as food and diapers to over 2,500 individuals,” said Yensing Sihapanya, Executive Director of the Family Connections Centers.  “As Executive Director, I have seen the incredible impact that volunteers and donors can have on our ability to continue this essential work for children and families in our community. I'm grateful to the Attorney General and his staff for ensuring donors are protected and able to safely support local charities. We are thrilled to have the Attorney General and his team from the Department of Justice join us in providing groceries and gifts to hundreds of households this season."
 
Family Connections Centers provides a continuum of care through education and support services for children and their families, beginning when a child is born. The organization’s Early Childhood Education includes interactive family classes and two licensed preschool programs. For children in grades kindergarten through 5th, the center offers daily afterschool and summer programs that emphasize academic skills and social-emotional development. The Family Support programs are offered in English, Spanish, Cantonese, and Vietnamese and provide parents/caregivers with the education and resources they need to increase stability in their families' lives. These social services are free and include case management; educational workshops on health and civil rights; weekly support groups; parenting classes and child development series; and assistance with food access, diapers, housing, medical appointments, and more.
 
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, 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 our donation tips webpage at https://oag.ca.gov/donations.