STATEWIDE – NEW YORKERS LOOKING TO SUPPORT RELIEF EFFORTS in the wake of wildfires that have burned around the Northeast are being offered guidance from the Office of New York Attorney General Letitia James. She advises that anyone who receives a solicitation for donations via email, regular mail or phone first determine or double-check who is behind that email address. Contact the charity whose name is in the email or visit its website to find out if the email is really from the charity. The OAG recommends visiting this website to learn which charities are at the aid forefront and then to review their annual reports. Before giving through social media or fundraising sites, research the identity of the fundraising organizer and ask the same questions you would of a charity. Look into newly formed organizations carefully. Ask how the donation will be used.