How you can make sure you are donating to a reputable charity, organization

Before you donate this giving Tuesday, and really anytime you’re asked to give to charity, grab the iPad, log into your computer and do your homework.

The first step you should always take is research.

Search the name of the charity you would like to donate to and add the word “scam,” or “complaint” to see if there are any stories or reports from reputable sources that warn against donating to that organization.

Some of the places that you can trust for information about charities that are misusing your funds are the FBI, federal trade commission (FTC) and AARP.

You can also check out records from charity watchdog groups like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance.

Be sure you are also asking critical questions like:

• How much of your donation will go to the program you want to help compared to salaries and expenses?
• Is your donation tax-deductible?

Double-check the exact name of the organization too. Scammers will pick names or use website addresses that sound and look very similar to legitimate well-known ones in an attempt to trick people into thinking they are donating to a real charity.