If your are like us, you are now receiving unsolicited telephone calls at home or on your cell phone about helping this cause or that cause.
'Tis the season'. From Thanksgiving to Christmas most of us get into a more generous feeling but sometimes we all fall victim to a scam.
You may get a call to donate money to help homeless veterans, you may get a call to help the police and homeless people across this country.
Don't bite and don't send money. If you get a call to help children in need during the holiday season it may touch your heart, but in most instances you are simply helping somebody who is not in need fill their pockets with your money.
If you really want to reach out and help people during this holiday season, reach out to your local agencies. Call your local fire department, call your children's teachers. Call the police department. They know the difference between people in need and those who work the system.
Contact your local churches, they know how to give to those who really need help.
Every year, about this time, we begin receiving calls from people wanting this and that for different causes. Some may be legit, but most are not.
If you want to help somebody, make sure you know who you are giving your money too. Never, ever, give your credit card or bank account number over the phone for a so-called draft. In a few weeks you will realize you have been drafted out of all your money.
There are a lot of great charities out there who do the right thing. There are more that want to take advantage of your generosity.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving, but be cautious of where you give your thanks to others.
