Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined GLIDE in San Francisco to provide guidance on safe charitable giving during the holiday season. As the primary regulator of charities and their fundraisers, Bonta emphasized the importance of ensuring donations reach their intended destinations.

Bonta expressed his gratitude for participating with GLIDE, stating, "As a proud Bay Area resident, I’m grateful for the opportunity to join GLIDE in giving back this holiday season." He highlighted GLIDE's longstanding community support efforts and encouraged Californians to research before donating. Bonta advised reporting any misconduct by charities or fundraisers to his office.

Dr. Gina Fromer, President & CEO of GLIDE, acknowledged the importance of donor generosity and appreciated the Attorney General's efforts. "We couldn’t carry out our love agenda for the people of San Francisco without the amazing generosity of our donors," she said.

To help donors avoid fraud, several tips were shared:

1. Verify registration status: Ensure charities are registered with California's Registry of Charities and Fundraisers.

2. Trustworthy organizations: Research charities' financial reports to understand how donations are used.

3. Avoid telemarketer pressure: Do not succumb to pressure tactics from telemarketers.

4. Beware of fake websites and emails: Be cautious of look-alike sites that may attempt to deceive donors.

5. Similar-sounding names: Be wary of organizations with names resembling established charities.

6. Peer-to-peer fundraising: Confirm legitimacy when donating through social networks.

7. Protect personal information: Avoid sharing sensitive data like Social Security numbers or credit card details.

8. Electronic donations caution: Verify electronic donation requests before proceeding.

For more detailed guidance on protecting against charity fraud, visit oag.ca.gov/donations.