Avoid scammers during the holiday season by following these easy tips.

This holiday season, you may want to confirm the recipient of your Giving Tuesday donation.

Mary Hagen, CEO of Colossal, a professional fundraising company, is providing her top tips to help you support organizations and avoid scams.

Hagen, based in Arizona, shared a video with Planet Chronicle Digital, stating that whether you want to donate, volunteer, or spread the word, these tips can help you determine how to get involved and which organizations to support.

1. Research before you give

Numerous websites exist online that provide background information on charities you wish to support.

Hagen advises individuals to focus on crucial aspects, including registration status, financial openness, and responsibility.

She advised looking for charities that allocate a significant portion of their donations towards programs rather than executive compensation.

2. Avoid high pressure tactics

Be wary of high-pressure tactics when someone asks you to donate "on the spot," as they may be a scammer.

Hagen remarked that scammers frequently employ high-pressure tactics and emotional appeals to deceive individuals into spending their hard-earned money with them.

A trustworthy charity will not pressure you to make a hasty donation.

"Giving is at an all-time high right now, but unfortunately that means scammers are also working overtime."

Before selecting a charity to donate to, it's important to take time and not be influenced by external pressure.

She advised taking time to research and make a decision independently.

3. Be mindful of how and where you donate

Many charitable organizations now accept online donations, making it a convenient option for donors.

If you found charities while searching the web, it is important to know some information about them, according to Hagen.

To receive a tax deduction for online donations, it is important to ensure that the charity you are supporting is registered in your state, as Hagen pointed out.

Bonus tips:

Be a "little fish in a big pond."

Hagen emphasized the importance of adopting a "little fish in a big pond" mindset when it comes to donating, especially for beginners who want to stay within their budget.

"Examine where your individual dollar can have the greatest impact," she said in an email to Planet Chronicle Digital.

"Numerous charities will be highly transparent about what a specific dollar donation will accomplish or contribute to the organization. For instance, you may observe on a nonprofit's website that for every $1, you can cover the cost of food for an animal shelter with a capacity of 250 animals. If you have a donation budget of $500-$1,000, you may feel strongly that this is an effective way to make a significant contribution. A wonderful opportunity to make a difference, even if you're a small fish in a large pond."

Corporate sponsors may prefer charities that focus on major expenses, such as providing financial relief to families with sick children, as they can easily donate a substantial amount of money and create a significant impact.

Beware of solicited donations

Unfortunately, while giving is currently at an all-time high, scammers are also working overtime, according to Hagen.

To avoid falling victim to scams, Hagen advised against making any solicited donations.

Unfortunately, some solicitation is legitimate, but to combat any feelings of "what-if," make a commitment to yourself that the cause you chose is a personal, well-researched, and intentional matter, and know that when you set out to do good, you're always making a difference.

For more information, visit colossal.org.