1. Research the Charity: Use resources like the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, or GuideStar to verify the organization's credibility. 2. Check Registration: Legitimate charities are usually registered with a national or regional charity regulator. 3. Contact Directly: Reach out to the charity directly using contact information from a reliable source, not the one provided in the solicitation. 4. Look for Reviews: Search for reviews or news articles about the charity to see if there are any red flags.