HONOLULU -- It is the season for giving, but the holidays are also the season for scams.

Hawaii residents are known for their generosity.

"It makes me feel really good inside, you should always give from the heart. I think its really important that everyone shares especially during the holidays," Kaneohe resident Dorinda Lum said.

While many legitimate organizations would like your money now, so would scammers.

"This is prime time for the con artists, people are good cheer, giving to charities, they are in a rush. All of these conditions are just ripe for people to be ripped off," said Barbara Stanton, of AARP Hawaii.

Over the holidays there is a spike in scams, officials said.

While you could lose some money from a scammer on the street. You could lose much more from scams on the Internet. There are fake Web sites that look like real charities, looking not just to get a donation but access to your money.

"The real danger is if they have all your information, don't give them your credit card numbers, personal information, that makes it difficult for you for identity theft later," Stanton said.

So before you give, do a little research.

"A legitimate organization won't ask call you and ask for personal information, or bank account number, your credit card information," Stanton said.

Tips To Avoid Scams:
- Ask about the organization and where the money goes. - Call the charity. If you are contacted by someone representing a charity, look up its number in the phone book and call back before you make your donation.
- You should also look out for friends and family this holiday season. You may not fall for a charity scam, but others could.
- If you have any doubts about the person or organization asking for money, do not give them any cash, credit card or bank account details at all.
- Go directly to a charity's Web site. Just as you should never call the number a solicitor has given you, don't click on a charity link in an e-mail sent to you, instead look it up and type it in.
- Verify fund raising. When you contact the charity, check to see if they have any fund raising campaigns taking place in your area.
- Use secure sites. If you give out credit card information on line to a real charity, make sure you use a secure site. Never use a public computer or an open Wi-Fi network.
- Alert authorities. If you feel you have been scammed, contact the Office of Consumer Protection at 587-3222.