Answer: Nope - at least, not over the phone. If a charity cold calls you for cash, your Spidey-sense should start tingling. Just decline politely, and let them know you'll head to their website to check it out. A little detective work will let you know if the charity is legit.
Tip:
If you're still unsure about donating, your local Better Business Bureau can help you determine which charities are legit.