Kansans should beware of charity scams capitalizing on the rush to contribute to Asian tsunami relief operations.

A growing number of rip-offs nationwide are being reported to law enforcement officials, Kansas Atty. Gen. Phill Kline said. Many of the scams rely on unsolicited e-mails and telephone calls, he said.

Before contributing to a charitable organization there are ways Kansans can check. Call the Kansas Secretary of State’s office, (785) 296-4564, or call the Better Business Bureau. Information also is available online at Kansas Charity Check’s Web site, www.kscharitycheck.org.

Other tips:

• Always ask an organization unfamiliar to you to mail information to your home.
• Don’t be pressured into making a contribution. Legitimate charities will not pressure you.
• Never make an immediate contribution to charities soliciting door-to-door. Ask them to leave information with you and verify their legitimacy before contributing.
• If you decide to give, never pay in cash. If you pay by check, never make it out to an individual or company name that is different than the charity itself.
• Never give credit card, bank account or Social Security numbers to anyone calling you on the telephone.

If you think you have been victimized by a scam call the attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division at (785) 296-3751 or (800) 432-2310.