The holiday season is an active time for giving from the heart to nonprofit organizations in need. However, con artists take advantage of the giving spirit of the holidays, making the season a time for fraud as well. Many trusting citizens, including seniors, are taken advantage of over the holiday season and become victims to deceptive charities. We’ve put together some tips to help the general public avoid scams during the holiday gift-giving season. You shouldn’t be afraid to “kick the tires” to determine the legitimacy of an organization asking for your hard-earned money. On behalf of Senior Community Centers, here are some tips to ensure your donation is going to the right cause:  • Donate to charities that provide a physical street address. Ask for a tour or just show up unannounced. A reputable charity would be delighted to give you a tour on the spot. Be wary of an organization that only provides a post office box address.  • Do your homework. Browse the charity’s website. Do a Google search to see what comes up. Go to www.Guidestar.org to check out their rating and financials, including recent 990 forms, which are filed annually with the Internal Revenue Service.   • Ask questions. Do not be afraid to ask questions about the organization and how it is governed. Ask about the organization’s measurable goals and objectives, the success of its programs and the ways the charity spends its money. Request a copy of the organization’s annual report. Any hesitancy on questions, particularly financial, should be viewed as a red flag.    • Avoid phishing scams. Again, make sure you know the charity to which you donate. Ignore mail and e-mail from an organization you do not know.  • Do not be sold. All charities need money, but a charity should not try to “hard sell” you. If someone from an organization tells you that they need a donation today, don’t be fooled. Any day is a good day to give. If you need more time to think about giving a donation or if you need more information, the charity should be willing and able to work with you. Once you have chosen a deserving cause, and your donation has been given, you should expect a timely thank you. Your hard-earned dollars are valuable and should be greatly appreciated. — Paul Downey is the CEO and president of Senior Community Centers, a leading provider of services to culturally diverse, low-income amd at-risk seniors in San Diego. Learn more at www.serving seniors.org.