With the holidays comes the season of giving. Keep these tips from the Better Business Bureau in mind to avoid being scammed.

-Familiarize yourself with a company before shelling out cash

-Ask for more information about a group. If they're hesitant, they're likely not legitimate. Any established, reputable organization wants you to know where your money is going.

-Don't be afraid to ask for numbers and written information

-Take your time! Don't let a scammer rush you into making a donation on the spot

-Before making donations online, check privacy policies to ensure the safety of personal information like your name, phone number and address

-When marketing campaigns are used with charity events, be sure you know how much of your donation is actually going to the cause and not the professional promoter

-Seek professional advice for tax deductables

-Use your heart and your brain together when making holiday donations!

And you can visit www.BBB.org for more information on legitimate charities and organizations.