Feeling generous this holiday season? What to watch for before you donate to charity

MADISON -- For many consumers, the holiday season is not just about giving gifts to friends and family members – it is also a time when they give to charities. Unfortunately, this goodwill draws out scammers who use high-pressure pitches to gather funds through fake charities.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) asks consumers to do their research on charities before making a contribution this holiday season and to be leery of pushy phone- and internet-based requests for payments.

DATCP offers the following tips for donors considering a contribution to a charitable organization:

Watch out for these charity ploys:

For more information or to file a complaint, consumers may contact: