Phony charities, car thieves prey on unwary holiday shoppers.
By: Donna Lukiw
The Christmas season is a time to help out local charities, volunteer in soup kitchens and donate items for the needy, but the Manville Police Department and New Jersey’s attorney general are warning residents of possible scams and charity frauds.
As the holiday season brings out the generosity in people, residents are more likely to donate to different relief efforts, especially after hurricanes Katrina and Rita affected so many lives.
Here are steps to take to avoid becoming a victim of charity fraud and other crimes prevalent during the season.
Attorney General Peter C. Harvey suggests residents check out charities with the state Office of Consumer Affairs before making any donations.
To avoid becoming a victim of charity fraud, residents should give only to charities they know and trust.
Also, check whether the organization is registered with Consumer Affairs’ Charities Registration Section or exempt from the registration requirements.
Find out how long the organization has been in operation and ask to see its financial reports.
Beware of unsolicited and phony e-mail notices that claim to be from a charity that you are familiar with asking for your credit card information this is called "phishing" and is often used by thieves to commit identity theft.
While identity theft doesn’t occur every day in Manville, Manville police said it does occur frequently enough that people need to be aware of what they’re throwing out in the garbage and what they’re leaving behind in stores.
"Don’t give your information over the phone," Manville police Detective William Yankoski said. "Shred everything with your credit card number and Social Security number before you throw it in the garbage. Thieves look for that stuff."
Also, Detective Yankoski said not to leave receipts or any other payment information on counters in the stores. Getting an annual credit report also can prevent identity theft.
With the rise in car thefts in the area in recent months, Detective Yankoski said to keep car doors and windows locked.
"When thieves watch people go to Wal-Mart or ShopRite, they know those people will be in there for at least a half hour," Detective Yankoski said. "It gives them time to break in. If you’re at the movies, that’s at least two hours."
Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest added shoppers are more vulnerable now because of daylight-saving-time.
"People are out more during the darkness because of the time change," Mr. Forrest said. "They’re out shopping and visiting people."
For that reason, he said, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings Detective Yankoski said it’s best to stay in well-lit areas when out alone.
At home, residents should talk with their neighbors about watching each other’s houses while away, keep valuables hidden and keep windows and doors locked to prevent house burglaries.

