Most charities are honest in their methods of soliciting contributions.
However, there are some organizations that misuse fundraising methods, victimizing well-meaning people who only want to help a good cause. The New York State Attorney General's Charities Bureau regulates the conduct of charitable organizations and protects contributors from being victimized by unscrupulous fundraisers. Lawsuits by the Attorney General have forced illegitimate charities and their fundraisers to stop their misleading practices and money they have collected has been distributed to charities throughout the State. The Attorney General also supervises the activity of foundations and other charities to insure that their funds and other property devoted to charitable purposes are properly used. The Trusts and Estates Section protects the interest of the public as ultimate beneficiaries of religious gifts and bequests contained in wills, trust agreements, deeds and corporate charters.