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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

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When should I contact the Ohio Attorney General’s office about charitable solicitations?

The Charitable Law Section routinely investigates issues regarding charitable solicitation and wants to stop potential fraud before scammers can influence too many people. If you are asked to make a charitable gift — in person, by mail or telephone — and it seems as if the pitch may not be true, please call the Attorney General’s Office to file a complaint. Complaint forms can be filed online through www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or through the Help Center at (800) 282-0515.

Some of the most common complaints involve reports of misleading or deceptive activities such as using sound-alike charity names to make donors believe they are supporting a popular cause, providing false information to get a donation, sending invoices for pledges that were never made, failing to disclose that the call is being made by a professional solicitor and making harassing phone calls

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How do I know if a charitable solicitation is legitimate?

Unfortunately, it often can be difficult to tell whether a request for a charitable gift is legitimate. Donors need to ask a lot of questions, examine written information about the organization and determine whether the cause is worth supporting. Check with friends and family to learn what others might know about a group’s activities. Look the group up at www.guidestar.org (free registration required) to review the organization’s 990 return with the IRS to better understand how its funds are spent.

The best way to approach charitable giving is to develop a charitable giving plan in advance that allows you to identify what your giving priorities are in advance. Then you will have determined what types of causes and what specific organizations you want to support in advance of any solicitation. This allows you to respond that you have a giving plan but will be happy to review information to consider new organizations that might merit your charitable investments in the future.

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What are some of the warning signs that a solicitation may not be legitimate?

Donors should always refuse to give whenever they feel uncomfortable about the request. Some specific warning signs and tips include:

• Don’t provide bank or credit card information over the phone on calls that you didn’t expect.
• Don’t be enticed to make donations because of promises of prizes, cash awards or sweepstakes.
• Don’t give when someone offers to come to your house to personally pick up your gift.
• Don’t give when the caller can’t answer questions about the charity.
• Don’t give when high-pressure tactics are used.
• Don’t make out a check to an individual or to cash. Always make the check out to the name of the charity.

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Is there a lot of fraud in the area of charitable solicitation?
Unfortunately, there often are scams that take advantage of the generosity of Ohioans who think they are contributing to worthwhile causes. Consumers need to ask plenty of questions and review information about charities before making a gift. Additional guidance for wise giving can be found on the Ohio Attorney General’s Web site at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/GoodGiving.

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Can I prevent getting telephone calls for charitable solicitations?
The federal do-not-call provisions exempt charitable organizations. However, charities are required to keep a list of citizens who have asked to have their names and numbers removed from their solicitation lists. That information must be passed along from the charity to any professional solicitors working on behalf of the organization. Unfortunately, citizens have to make the request to individual charities instead of a national database. Citizens who have asked to be removed from a charity's call list but still receive solicitations can contact the Charitable Law Section to file a complaint.

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What agencies regulate charitable solicitation?
In Ohio, the Ohio Attorney General regulates charitable solicitation to ensure that citizens are protected from fraudulent scams. The Federal Trade Commission also has jurisdiction in this area.

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What if I have more specific questions regarding professional solicitation in Ohio?
You can contact the professional solicitation registrar in the Charitable Law Section at (614) 466-3181. 

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How can I file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office?
You can file a complaint on our Web site; send a letter outlining the problem to Charitable Law Section, 150 E. Gay St., 23rd floor, Columbus, OH 43215; or contact the Attorney General’s Help Center at (800) 282-0515.

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I received an invoice for a pledge to a nonprofit that I don’t recall making. Do I have to pay it?
No, you do not. However, it is advisable that you contact an investigator in the Charitable Law Section at (614) 466-3181 as he or she may want to ask you additional questions about your contact with a professional solicitor and help ensure Ohioans are not being taken advantage of. 

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What if I can’t find the name of the solicitor I’m looking for?
Contact the professional solicitation registrar in the Charitable Law Section at (614) 466-3181 if you have any questions regarding the registration status of a professional solicitor or fundraising counsel.

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How can I find out if a professional solicitor is registered in Ohio?
We maintain an updated list of registered professional solicitors.

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