Be wary if a donation is required in order to receive your prize. Legitimate contests do not require a donation or any payment for a chance to win. When making a charitable donation it always pays to be cautious. It is worth the extra time it takes to ask questions about the nature and activities of an organization to help ensure that the cause is worthwhile. Basically, check out the charity before you write out the check.
Subsequent violations are felonies.
Suspected fraudulent charitable solicitations should be reported to the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.