LANSING - The season of giving is among us, meaning that many Michiganders will have a feeling of generosity during the holiday season and a desire to help others in any way possible. Many will have the desire to donate to charities, but this kind of action can also lead to scammers taking advantage of givers.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reminds Michigan residents to stay safe while giving donations to philanthropies this holiday season. During her informational video Charitable Giving, Nessel reminds residents to assure that each donation goes towards the right charity or cause, as part of her office’s 20 Days of Scams consumer protection series.

“Every donation makes an impact, and I am proud to hold public office in a state with such a strong philanthropic foundation,” Nessel said.

To avoid becoming a victim of a scam throughout this holiday season, consider asking the following questions to an organization before donating:

-Is your organization registered to solicit donations by the Michigan Department of Attorney General?
-What is your registration number?
-What is the name, address, and phone number of your organization?
-What’s going to happen to my donation?
-Is my donation tax-deductible?
-How much of my donation will actually be used for the charity’s purpose?
-Can I use the internet to donate?

Additional resources include the Giving Wisely brochure, a publication provided by the Michigan Nonprofit Association in collaboration with United Way and the Council of Michigan Foundation, reminds Michigan residents the importance of giving while and making safe decisions when donating.

For more information on what to do before donating to a charity, visit the Attorney General’s Charitable website.