The final price you are asked to pay will be much higher than the initial estimate. If you are unfamiliar with the company, check it out with the Better Business Bureau of the Attorney General's Office in the state where the company is located. Never send cash through the mail. If you receive merchandise which you or a member of your household did not order, you may consider it a gift and not be pressured into returning it or paying for it. Many charities sound worthy, with names and goals promising cures for cancer, heart disease, and other worthwhile causes.
Most charities are honest and put their charitable dollars to good use.
However, Americans lose millions of dollars to fraudulent charitable groups each year. Ask how the charitable purpose will be accomplished. Ask how much of your contribution will pay fund-raising and overhead costs. Ask if the person calling is a professional fund raiser and if so, what amount of your money given will actually go to the charity. Ask whether your contribution is tax deductible.