Last week, I wrote about a few ways to help others right here in Utah Valley. Of course, there are many, many more wonderful ways to give both within and outside of our community. We shouldn’t hesitate to give out of fear of being cheated. There are ways to ensure that donations are actually going to help others.

According to the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Advice website, doing research online is one of the best ways to determine if your donations are going to an actual cause. It’s recommended that when you’re considering giving to a particular charity, search online for its name plus “reviews,” “scam” or “complaints.” Additionally, organizations such as the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, CharityWatch and Candid.org offer helpful information about charities.

Being careful in how you provide donations is another recommendation. If someone wants donations in cash, gift cards or through wiring money, it is likely a scam. To be safe, pay via credit card or check, according to the FTC. It’s also wise to keep records of all donations and match these up with financial records to ensure the amounts are the same and you didn’t inadvertently sign up for a recurring donation. Before clicking an online link to donate, make sure you know who is receiving your donation.

Be aware of scammers’ common tricks. Scammers try to rush people into making donations. They can change caller ID to make a call seem like it is local. Sometimes, scammers use names that sound similar to actual charities. Some scammers try to trick people into paying them by thanking them for a donation that was never actually made. Basically, if you are skeptical about a charity or organization or if the representative seems too pushy, check it out or donate to a different worthy charity instead.

The AARP recommends confirming that the donation will be tax deductible. “Only gifts to charities with 501(c)(3) are potentially tax deductible. Check with the IRS to see if an organization has tax-exempt status and to learn more about charities and nonprofits,” it states on its website.

Validating the identities of individuals requesting donations is also a way to keep your money safe. Scammers may pose as religious leaders or as people representing families who are going through difficult times.

Don’t leave cash under your front doormat. This may seem obvious, but some scammers actually ask people to do just this. The same goes for gift cards. According to AARP’s website, relaying the serial number and PIN on a gift card to someone over the phone makes it almost impossible to recover your money.

Generosity of time can be difficult during the busy holiday season, but it is also needed. If you’re looking for ways to help others that don’t involve donating money, there are many opportunities to serve. Checking out the website JustServe.org is a good start. There, needs of organizations are posted and volunteers can search for local opportunities.

Generosity during the holidays and always is admirable, and helping others is important. Let’s make sure the money goes to those who really need it during this holiday season and always.