It's that time of year when generous folks open their hearts and wallets, giving to charities, food banks and other worthy causes. Whether by mail, email, phone or in person, it's a season of solicitations to help those in need.

State Attorney General Kamala Harris is reminding Californians to be aware of how and where their holiday donations are used.

Based on an annual survey, the attorney general's office reported that professional solicitors hired by California charities typically pocket more than half of every dollar collected. Last year, California charities got an average of 44.3 percent of donations collected by commercial fundraisers.

To be sure your generosity is used wisely, here are some tips on charitable donations:

• Do some research about the charitable organization, its activities and fundraising practices.

• Don't give credit card information to a telephone solicitor.

• If contacted by a fundraiser, ask how a donation will be distributed and what percentage will go to administrative costs vs. the charity's programs.

• Ask if the solicitor works for a commercial fundraiser and is being paid to solicit.

• Avoid cash donations.

• Be alert for copycat names that sound similar to well-known charities.

• If it's a request for a police, fire or law enforcement donation, check directly with the group to be sure it's a legitimate request.

The attorney general's office has a "Guide to Charitable Giving for Donors" available online at ag.ca.gov (search under "charities").

Donors can also look up charities online through the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance (bbb.org/us/charity) or the nonprofit American Institute of Philanthropy (charitywatch.org).

'Grandparent scam'

We've written previously about the "grandparent scam," in which seniors get calls from con artists posing as a distraught grandchild in desperate need of money. Often the caller claims to have been arrested or in a car accident and urgently needs funds wired to pay fines, lawyers or bail money. They often plead with the grandparent, saying, "Don't tell my parents."

It's been around for years, but is popping up again during the holiday season. We've heard recently from several people who received calls from a supposed grandchild, asking them to send money immediately.

As always, law enforcement officials give the same advice: If you get such a call, pause and think twice before sending any money. Verify the situation with another family member or ask the caller questions that only a family member should know.

The same caution goes for urgent emails supposedly sent by family or friends, claiming to be stranded in a foreign country with no money.

The emailers often say they've lost a passport, wallet or ID and need cash to pay for hotel rooms, airline tickets, etc.

If you get such an email, do not send money unless you can confirm with a third party that the "urgent" situation is true.

– Claudia Buck