PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – 'Tis the season for giving, but just make sure you're giving to the right cause.
The Federal Trade Commission is warning people to be aware of charity cheats.
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If you receive a request from an unfamiliar group, first check the name to make sure it's legitimate. Then go to the group's website to see how it spends donations and make sure that charity supports the issues that matter to you.
Find out what others have to say about the group on the Better Business Bureau website.
Lastly, you can make sure the group is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions on the Internal Revenue Service wesbite.
Say no to any organization that refuses to identity the group or reveal information about how it spends donations, asks for cash or a money transfer, or promises to enter you in a sweepstakes or give you a prize.
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