Secretary of State Michael Watson urges Mississippians to exercise caution when donating to a charity or fundraiser as there has been an uptick in activity from fraudulent charities operating in Mississippi.

“We know Mississippians are some of the most generous and hospitable folks in the nation, but it is important to always check the validity of a charity prior to donating. Unfortunately, bad actors continue to solicit in our state, especially in-person, so we encourage you to do your research and ask questions prior to donating your hard-earned dollars,” said Watson.

For example, on July 10, 2024, the Secretary of State’s Office issued a Cease and Desist Order against Restoration Houston Ministry, a group based in Houston, TX. This organization has repeatedly solicited in Mississippi, while failing to comply with state law or register with our Charities Division as an official charity. The Restoration Houston Ministry has refused to communicate with the Secretary of State’s Office entirely, despite its efforts to solicit in our state over the last 10 years.

Mississippians are encouraged to question the validity of organizations, such as the Restoration Houston Ministry, who solicit donations. Legitimate organizations should be willing to communicate and register with the Secretary of State’s Office.

It is also important to note the 501(c)(3) status does not determine the validity of a charity. Many will donate to an organization with this status, believing the federal 501(c)(3) status signifies an official charity in compliance with Mississippi law. Registration through our Charities Division is required before any charity (in-state or out-of-state) can solicit to Mississippi residents and be considered legitimate.

Tips for avoiding fraudulent charities:

• #CheckYourCharity! Before donating, verify an organization’s validity through the “Charity Search” portal, or by calling the Charities Division at 601-359-1599.
• When in doubt, ask! Legitimate charities will welcome your inquiries. You should never feel pressured to send a donation “immediately” without receiving more information first. If in person, ask to see a copy of the Certificate of Registration from the Secretary of State’s Office.
• Always get receipts for your donations.
• Be extra cautious about solicitations via phone calls, texts, emails, or mail.
• Help raise awareness about the growing threat of scammers in Mississippi. Educate yourself to help protect those around you!

The Secretary of State’s Office encourages you to utilize the resources available on the Charities Division webpage to protect yourselves and your hard-earned dollars. For questions or more information, contact the Charities Division at 601-359-1599 or email charities.customerservice@sos.ms.gov.