Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard has holiday advice.

Ron Medvescek / arizona daily star

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The holiday season is the time of year when many Arizonans give back to their communities — but it's also a time for dubious charity fundraising drives.

Attorney General Terry Goddard recommends consumers take the following precautions when making charitable donations:

● Watch out for bills or invoices sent to you even though you never pledged money.

● Find out how the charity will use your donation, and do not make a pledge until you know the specific purpose.

● Ask for information about its programs and for a copy of its financial report.

● Ask what percentage of the funds will be used for programs- and how much will be spent on administrative costs; reputable charities will be happy to provide this information.

● Be careful of charities with names that sound impressive or resemble those of other organizations. Some scam artists use names similar to reputable organizations to confuse donors.

● Make sure the charity is registered with the Secretary of State's Office at www.azsos.gov

● Ask for a telephone number of the charity. Call the charity directly; ask for financial accounting if you feel you need more information.

● Do not make cash donations. Always contribute by check and make your check payable to the charity, never to the individual soliciting the donation.

● Be wary of emotional appeals, especially those that insist that, due to an "emergency," you must send money now.

● Remember to ask for a receipt and a statement that the contribution is tax-deductible.

● Be extremely skeptical of anyone asking for a donation by requesting your credit-card number or bank account information over the phone.

● Several Web sites, including www.charitynavigator.org, www.give.org and www.guidestar.org, provide information on the financial histories of numerous charities.