Ahead of Giving Tuesday, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has issued advice to residents on how to make informed charitable donations during the holiday season. State law requires fundraisers and charities operating in Illinois to register annually with the Attorney General’s office.
“During this giving season, I encourage potential donors to take a few minutes to review my Charitable Trust Bureau’s tips before making any Giving Tuesday donations and throughout the holidays,” Raoul said. “I will continue to offer resources to protect generous Illinois residents who give charitable donations, so they find comfort in knowing their donations are used for the intended purpose.”
Raoul outlined several recommendations for those considering donating:
– Do not automatically trust charity suggestions found on social media or through text messages; instead, research organizations independently.
– Pay close attention to charity names, as some fraudulent groups use names similar to legitimate organizations.
– Ask questions about the organization and only donate when you are satisfied with the answers. This includes confirming whether the charity is registered with the state and asking what portion of funds goes toward fundraising, administration, and programming.
– Be cautious when donating online. Unsolicited emails that appear linked to relief efforts may be scams targeting well-intentioned donors following disasters or international crises.
– Avoid paying in cash or using peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo or Zelle. For security and tax reasons, use checks or credit cards and write out the full official name of the charity.
– Request written information from charities regarding their mission, how donations are distributed, and proof of tax deductibility.
– Do not proceed if a solicitor uses high-pressure tactics, requests cash payments, or insists on picking up your donation—these can be signs of scams.
If someone suspects fraudulent activity, Raoul advises keeping records including details such as date and time of calls, names involved, and information about solicitation pitches.
Information about registered charities—including financial data—is available through the Attorney General’s website. Suspicious solicitations can be reported online via the Charitable Trust Bureau or by calling 312-814-2595.