LAS VEGAS -- The holiday season gives people a lot of chances to help those less fortunate. Unfortunately, it also gives scammers a chance to take advantage of well-meaning charities.
The iconic red kettles and bell ringers of the Salvation Army are a part of the holiday. The charity gathers thousands of dollars from the drive. The money goes to some of the most desperate people in the community.
To make sure the money actually goes to people who need it, the Salvation Army has a number of safe guards in place. It checks social security cards, birth certificates of children, proof of residency and proof of income.
"We do what we can so that [scamming] does not happen. That is part of why we do the verification and have to have all of the documentation that we have," Major Rhonda Lloyd with the Salvation Army said.
Lloyd says despite their best efforts to avoid being scammed it is going to happen. However, she hopes it does not stop people from giving to those in need.
"You always have the few. We do our best to avoid it, but if it happens it happens. Frankly, I think their responsibility is to the Lord, and I would rather be accused of being too generous than too stingy," Lloyd said.
Linda Smith with Opportunity Village says they have seen their share of scammers this season.
"It seems like this season there is just a glut of people, unsavory types, that will take advantage of the goodwill that people feel in this season," Smith said.
Opportunity Village is in the middle of its big fundraiser The Magical Forest. Some people even try ripping off the organization at the seasonal display by trying to pass counterfeit bills.
Both the Salvation Army and Opportunity Village say the need for their services and people willing to unscrupulously take advantage are on the rise.
