A purported charity claiming to help soldiers might not have the purest intentions, officials say.

Soldier Relief Fund, a charity that has contacted several people in the Bowling Green area, could be a scam, according to the Better Business Bureau.

Representatives from the charity started calling people around Wednesday, claiming it needs money to send certain items to soldiers. The BBB was recently notified when the charity began calling business owners, asking them to donate $100 to help send calling cards to soldiers.

The BBB not only reports on bad businesses, but it also keeps a list of reputable charities. When BBB officials asked the Soldier Relief Fund for a finance report, the charity did not provide it, said Charlie Mattingly, president of the BBB Louisville branch.

“There’s no legal requirement to do so, but the fact that they didn’t raises questions,” he said.

Additionally, the BBB verified that the organization does not have a 501(c)(3) tax exemption for charities, and the founder was charged in 2011 with fraud in connection with another scam in Indiana, said Linda Chambers, manager of the BBB in Bowling Green.

Chambers has received several local complaints about the charity, she said.

“Anyone should check twice before giving to a charity that won’t disclose financial information to us,” she said.

Charity scams are becoming more prevalent as people become proficient at computers and technology that allows them to pull off a scam. They will often reach out to people during the holidays or after a tragic event, Chambers said.

“Anytime there’s something going on in the world, whether it’s a hail storm or a hurricane, people will use that as an excuse because they know the people they are calling are good-hearted people and will help those in need,” she said. “That’s what America’s known for.”

Scam artists also are successful because they are very experienced in soliciting over the phone and can reach several people in a limited amount of time, Chambers said.

She encourages people to always research a charity before giving to it. They can review the BBB’s list of charities at www.bbb.org, and should beware of charities that do not disclose information to the organization.

Still, there are many legitimate charities that perform good deeds with their donations. But people should be smart when giving to a charity, especially if they have never heard of it, Mattingly said.

“I’ve talked to people who have given (Soldier Relief Fund) money,” he said. “And once they know the details, they are not happy that they gave them money.”