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When the holidays roll around, it brings out the giving spirit in so many of us.
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Hi, I'm Andrea Avery, United States Postal Inspector.
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We're all eager to respond to appeals for contributions from legitimate charitable organizations.
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However, scammers use bogus charities and other underhanded tactics to take these well-intentioned donations.
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Not only do the donors end up losing their money, but the real charities who need the donations wind up never seeing a dime.
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Here are some tips to think about before you donate:
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Don’t give cash. Make checks payable to the organization-never to an individual.
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Don't feel pressured to give money on the spot.
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Check out the charity and look at the name of the charity carefully. Some phony charities have names that closely resemble legitimate ones.
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Make sure your money goes where you want it to go and not to the bad guys.
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For more information on scams visit USPIS.gov. Let's keep your mail safe and your holidays happy.