California Attorney General Rob Bonta participated in an event with GLIDE in San Francisco to offer guidance on safe charitable donations during the holiday season. The Attorney General emphasized the importance of ensuring that contributions reach their intended destinations, noting his office's regulatory role over charities and fundraisers in California.
"As a proud Bay Area resident, I’m grateful for the opportunity to join GLIDE in giving back this holiday season," said Attorney General Bonta. He praised GLIDE for its longstanding commitment to providing essential services such as meals, childcare, and housing assistance within the Tenderloin community. Bonta also encouraged Californians to research before donating and report any suspected misconduct by charities or fundraisers through his office's website.
Dr. Gina Fromer, President & CEO of GLIDE, expressed gratitude for the support from donors and acknowledged the Attorney General's efforts to ensure donations are properly allocated. "GLIDE cares for our community by providing meals, rental assistance, health resources, childcare, supportive programs and more," she stated.
The event highlighted several tips for safe charitable giving:
1. Verify registration status: Ensure charities are registered with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charities and Fundraisers.
2. Donate to trusted organizations: Review financial reports to understand how donations are utilized.
3. Avoid pressure tactics: Do not succumb to telemarketer pressure; verify donation requests independently.
4. Be wary of look-alike websites: Check URLs carefully to avoid scams.
5. Watch out for deceptive names: Confirm organization legitimacy if unfamiliar.
6. Scrutinize social media campaigns: Investigate peer-to-peer solicitations before donating.
7. Protect personal information: Do not share sensitive data with solicitors.
8. Exercise caution with electronic donations: Verify legitimacy of digital transactions.
For further details on safeguarding against charity fraud, individuals can visit oag.ca.gov/donations.