Ways to make sure your money is going where you intend

My in-box has been rattling with warnings and advice lately on everything from avoiding scams to saving money. Most of the tips are common sense, and I won't bore you. But I did find a few worth repeating.

CHARITIES: Attorney General Roy Cooper has numerous suggestions on how to avoid being taken by telemarketers collecting for fake charities. Two favorites:

* Ask what percentage of your donation will benefit the charity. Under North Carolina law, the telemarketer has 14 days to get you that information in writing.

* If you really want to help your local police or firefighters, call them directly to ask what they need.

You can find out more about in-state charities from the Secretary of State's office by calling 888-830-4989 or going to www.secretary.state.nc.us./cls. Research national groups at www.charitywatch.org.

If you suspect a scam, call the AG's consumer protection division, 877-566-7226.

ONLINE SAFETY: The Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina has this reminder that I like: Legitimate businesses do not send e-mail claiming problems with an order. If you get such a message and are nervous about your order, go to the Web site where you made the purchase and call the contact number listed there.

SCAM NO. 1/PHONY JOB OFFERS: Watch out for letters that ask you to become a mystery shopper. The letters include fake checks for $3,921. According to the Better Business Bureau, this is the way it works: You're asked to take part in a research program before becoming a full-time employee. You're told to deposit the check in your bank account and use it to cover training assignments. Your first assignment is to evaluate a retailer. For your second assignment, you'll be asked to wire $3,500 to evaluate the efficiency of a wire service.

Since the check you deposited was fake, that $3,500 is your own money.

The BBB reports that the letters appear to come from A&A Merchandising Ltd. and have a variety of fictional business addresses, including one in Wendell. Of course, the scammer probably is using a new company name by now and may even have a new scam along the same lines.

Remember this: View all unexpected checks with suspicion.

SCAM NO. 2/FORECLOSURE PREVENTION SERVICES: Look carefully before you call HOPE for help. There are hot lines that claim to be affiliated with the federal government's Homeownership Preservation Foundation that aren't. The correct hot line number to call is 888-995-4673.

Here's the problem: In trying to help people remember its phone number, the foundation promotes 888-995-HOPE. Unfortunately, that makes it easy for others to mimic using 800 numbers and the word "hope."

Remember this: Legit HOPE hot line counselors don't require fees.

SCAM NO. 3/INAUGURATION TICKETS. There are only 250,000 tickets for Barack Obama's inauguration, and they're in such demand that some online brokers were selling them before they were available. Reputable brokers will offer a money-back guarantee if they can't secure tickets. But as the BBB warns, you may have paid for a hotel room and be in D.C. before you know there isn't be a ticket awaiting you.

Remember this: It's a violation of Congress' code of ethics for members or staff to sell the tickets.