Attorney General Ken Paxton today encouraged Texans who want to donate to the victims of Hurricane Harvey to give both generously and carefully. He also shared the following tips to guard against fake charities and other donation scams: 

 

• Be cautious of requests for donations by unfamiliar organizations or people, especially anyone calling and asking for donations by credit card or requesting personal information.

• Don’t fall for high-pressure tactics and demands for an immediate donation. A legitimate charity welcomes background checks on their operations.

• Avoid charities or fundraisers that refuse to provide detailed information about their identity, mission, costs or how your donation will be used.

If you suspect you’ve been targeted by a fraudulent charity or donation scam, file a complaint online with the Consumer Protection Division of the Texas Office of the Attorney General’s office at  https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/apps/charitable-trusts-complaint-form/.