California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined Sharia’s Closet in San Diego to discuss safe donation practices and ways to avoid scams during the holiday season. As the primary regulator of charities and professional fundraisers in California, Attorney General Bonta emphasized the importance of ensuring donations reach their intended recipients.
“As the holiday season approaches, Californians once again exemplify the true spirit of generosity by volunteering time, donating goods, or making financial contributions to support charitable organizations doing incredible work in our communities. Sharia’s Closet is one of those organizations, and provides free, emergency clothing, diapers, and household essentials to those experiencing financial hardship or facing times of crisis,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I want to thank them for their critical work and for partnering with us as we share tips to avoid charity scams. 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.”
Shamine Linton, CEO of Sharia’s Closet, stated: “At Sharia's Closet, we believe that a small act of kindness can make a world of difference. Every donation, every moment of support, and every effort to help transforms lives.”
The event included practical advice on how donors can protect themselves from fraudulent activities:
- Check if charities are registered with the Attorney General’s Registry.
- Donate only to trusted organizations after reviewing their financial reports.
- Be cautious when dealing with telemarketers.
- Verify web addresses and emails for authenticity.
- Watch out for similar-sounding names used by deceptive organizations.
- Exercise caution with social media fundraising campaigns.
- Protect personal information from being shared unnecessarily.
- Confirm electronic donation transactions are legitimate.
For further details on safeguarding against charity fraud this season, visit oag.ca.gov/donations.