Oklahomans warned of charity scams | Crime

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, officials with the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office are warning residents of charity scams that may target generous donors in the coming days.

Attorney General Scott Pruitt says that while Oklahomans are extremely generous, they also need to be careful before making a donation.

“We know from past experience that this type of natural disaster attracts criminals looking for ways to take advantage of residents,” Pruitt said. “Oklahomans need to be careful and make sure they donate to a reputable charity.”

The warning comes after reports in several states of scammers calling households, claiming to be hurricane-related charities.

In response, Pruitt issued a few warning signs that Oklahomans can be on alert for when speaking with charities.

• Reject high pressure pitches.
• Avoid giving cash donations.
• Stay away from charities that offer to send a courier or overnight delivery service to collect your money.
• Do not give your banking or credit card information over the telephone.
• Stay away from charities with similar sounding names of well-known organizations.

For more information, visit the attorney general's website.