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r e d f c u.o r g | 13 local charm, featuring a delightful blend of holiday food, drinks, and shopping. artshuntsville.org Shepherd's Cove Hospice – Lights of Love Dec. 13 is family-friendly memorial event invites Albertville and the surrounding community to take time out of the busy holiday season to reflect on joyful memories with loved ones, past and present. e evening includes cookies and hot cocoa, live music, a family photo area with photos printed on site at no charge, and a memorial craft to complete at home. sclightsoflove.com Generosity is in abundance as we approach the holidays! In fact, charities receive about 41% of their contributions at the end of the year. Some of the current disasters, which may inspire your giving, include the Hawaii wildfires, tornadoes across the U.S., Sudan conflict, crisis in Ukraine, and earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Local organizations benefit from donations as well, to support veterans, provide school supplies, help the humane society, and more. Unfortunately, scammers want to take advantage of all the goodwill. Here's how to safely give to the causes you care about – without becoming a victim. Research charities. Donate only after searching for the charity online to ensure it's legitimate. Even if someone you know suggests an organization, it's best to do the research yourself. Consider using a charity evaluator, such as Charity Navigator. Practice cybersecurity. Don't open unsolicited emails or click unknown links or ads. When you visit a website, be wary of spelling mistakes and a lack of contact info; those are signs something isn't right. Use a trusted search engine to ensure you choose vetted websites. Before you enter your financial information online, look for the lock icon and "https" at the beginning of the URL, which indicate that you have a secure connection. Also, avoid using public Wi-Fi when you give online; wait until you're on a private, secure network. Track donations. It's best to use a credit card or check so you can track your money and make sure it goes to the right place. Scammers prefer donations by cash, gift card, or wire transfer because those keep you from seeing where your money goes. Know the recipients. If you don't recognize an organization's name, keep away from any communications claiming that you've donated in the past, and ignore cold calls pressuring you to give immediately. Report scams. It's better to be safe if you feel unsure about whether something is a scam. Step back and do more research or choose a different charity. If you suspect you've been duped, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission by visiting them online: reportfraud.ftc.gov. At Redstone, we care about helping you donate to those who deserve your generosity! Reach out to one of our trusted advisors if you'd like more information about how to stay safe. Give Without Getting Scammed How to Avoid Char it y S c ams Dur ing the Holidays