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Scammers target holiday charities

By Jason Stoogenke, wsoctv.com
By Jason Stoogenke, wsoctv.com
Many are giving more than just gifts to loved ones this holiday season.

The North Carolina Attorney General and Better Business Bureau said 70 percent of all charitable giving happens this time of year.

Eyewitness News found recent police reports from around Mecklenburg County of people reporting what they believe to be scams.

One talks about giving money this entire year to a Christmas fund and not knowing what happened to the money.

Another alleged victim said she got a call from someone who said he or she was "collecting donations for an organization" and, when that person couldn't answer her questions, she got suspicious and alerted police.

The BBB gives this advice:
  • Do your homework
  • Research the charity you are interested in
  • See where the money goes
  • Be skeptical of high-pressure pitches
  • Pay by check or money order when you can

Jim Brouwer has an unusual hobby.

He belongs to a metal-detecting club and rounds up coins.

This year, his group plans to give the cash, roughly $1,000, to the American Cancer Society.

"Every one of us has had someone that has been taken by cancer at one time or another," he said.

Randi Javer said instead of the adults in her family giving each other gifts, they made a donation to A Child's Place.

"They give money to schools for uniforms, school supplies and lunches," she said.

And she would donate to other groups too, but before she does, she said, "I would have to do the research."

WSOC

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