Charities use a variety of tactics to increase their likelihood of receiving a gift from you. Still, you should never feel obligated to give. Giving to a charity is your choice. Be careful of any solicitation that brings a tear to the eye, but does not describe what the charity is doing to address the problem it describes. 

Incentive/Thank You Gifts: We’ve seen solicitations that include mailing labels, greeting cards, coffee mugs or other thank-you gifts. Some charities even send a small amount of cash and ask you to “increase” it with a contribution. These tactics usually cost only pennies per mailing. So, you shouldn’t feel guilty for not sending the charity a donation. Remember: it’s illegal for a company to demand payment for merchandise you didn’t order..

Disguised Solicitations: Unscrupulous organizations have used a variety of techniques to increase your sense of obligation:

• Bills for pledges that you didn’t make, or
• Surveys (which often end with: “If you answered ‘Yes, continue your important work,’ send us a contribution”), or
• Drawings, raffles, or sweepstakes. (Drawings that require payment to enter are raffles, which are illegal to conduct via the mail), or 
• Hiring paid fund raisers who receive up to 80 percent of the funds you donate, while the charitable organization itself receives only a small amount. This is particularly common with “badge organizations,” such as police and fire departments.