Tennesseans Are Reminded to Give Wisely as Part of Charity Fraud Awareness Week

November 25th marks the start of Charity Fraud Awareness Week. According to national data, Tennesseans are among some of the most generous givers to charitable causes. To help them avoid becoming a victim of a charity scam or fraudulent transaction and maximize the impact of their gifts, the Secretary of State’s Division of Business and Charitable Organizations has created a series of Wise Giving Tips. These suggested guidelines encourage Tennesseans to research an organization to ensure an entity is registered with the state through the Secretary of State’s website. Citizens should also resist pressure to give on the spot, and ask questions about an organization’s specific mission, and who will benefit from their donation. You can also call the Division of Business and Charitable Organizations at 615-741-2555 with additional questions, or to report possible suspicious activity.