Warning issued about holiday donations

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Secretary of State Dean Heller is warning consumers to be careful when making charitable donations during the the holiday season.

Heller said Monday the solicitations increase significantly during the Christmas holidays and often people are too busy to check out who is asking for the money.

"We all want to help those less fortunate," Heller said. "But give wisely. Take the time to check out those doing the asking. If the charity or group is unknown to you -- ask for specifics. Ask where your contributions are going and how they will be used."

Some groups, he said, have reproduced their corporate charters with his signature. But these charters only show they have paid a filing fee to the state and does not mean the group is "truly a tax-exempt charity."

He warns to be on guard against organizations offering prizes and who show their donation requests have been notarized.

This does not prove the group is legitimate according to Internal Revenue Service guidelines, Heller said. It only shows the identification has been shown to receive the notary's signature. He said he also has "lingering concerns" that some notaries may be operating outside the law.

He said his office has produced and is distributing a 30-second video public service announcement cautioning citizens to be on guard.