This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It might be the season of giving, but the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance is urging consumers to be careful of holiday-themed scams.
Commissioner Bill Giannini said the holiday season is one of the best times for these crooks to prey on unsuspecting victims.
The department released the following tips to help keep you safe:
- Be suspicious of anyone requiring you to send money with prepaid money cards.
- Pay as often as you can with a major credit card offering fraud protection.
- Before donating, check to see if the charity is registered with the Tennessee Secretary of State.
- If contacted by phone about making a donation, avoid being pressured to make an immediate donation. Don’t hesitate to ask questions to get more information.
- Donate to charities that you trust and are well-established.
- Never write out a check or give cash to an individual solicitor. Write out checks to the name of the organization or use a credit card.
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
