The season of holiday giving can bring out the best in people, but also the worst, said Jackie Wallace, director of the United Way of Hall County.

This time of year is also a prime time for charity scammers.

“People take advantage of folks all the time and that’s the unfortunate thing about our society,” Wallace said. “We need to be wary of things that just don’t seem right.”

Wallace said there are a few easy ways to avoid becoming a victim.

Verifying the claims of a person who calls on the telephone can be a challenge, Wallace said. If there’s a charity people want to give to, they should go directly to the source.

“It’s good to give to a charity that you know is giving in the community and where you can go and see what they’re doing,” Wallace said.

A red flag that usually marks a scam is if an organization has trouble providing information about its mission or identity. Reputable charities will at least refer people to a website for more information.

“Ask the questions you want to ask, such as ‘What is the money used for?’ You have every right to ask those questions of a nonprofit,” Wallace said.

She said legitimate charities are required to fill out an IRS Form 990 with information about where the donations are sent.

People can request to see audits or tax returns, and many organizations will post the forms on their websites.

She adds that people can contact the state attorney general to learn which charities are licensed to operate in the area.

Those who suspect they’ve found a charity scam, or if they feel they’ve been victimized can report it to the local police.

Unfortunately, cases such as these can be difficult to prove, Wallace said.

“There’s not a lot of recourse unless some illegal activity took place.”

To see your dollars in action, Wallace recommends donating locally.

And while monetary donations are always helpful, people can also donate items, such as purchasing shampoo or deodorant for a domestic violence shelter, Wallace said.

“There are lots of ways to make a difference in your community and it doesn’t take a lot of money. Just a little effort,” she said.

To research more information about local charities, visit charitynavigator.org, an independent charity evaluator.