Washington state warns of scams during giving season; Kennewick to host event

KENNEWICK, Wash. - As Giving Tuesday approaches, Washingtonians are being urged to protect themselves from charity scams.

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and the Office of the Secretary of State are sharing tips to help residents avoid fraudulent charity solicitations.

"Giving back to the community is vital and strengthens the fabric of our state," Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said in a release . "But Washingtonians should be able to give to the causes they care about without having to worry their money will be stolen. These tips will help protect people from fraud."

One common scam involves organizations impersonating well-known charities. To avoid these, ask for the charity's employer identification number and verify it through official databases.

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