Are you planning to give back this holiday season?

Please use caution.

Not all charities asking for donations are allowed to do so.

South Carolina has banned a North Carolina-based organization from seeking donations here for not following state laws.

Miracle House of Hope Ministries was ordered last March to:

• Stop all solicitation in SC.

• Pay $10,000 in fines for failing to file annual financial reports and register under the Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act.

A bench warrant has been issued for its CEO Bruce Little.

The SC Administrative Law Court issued a contempt order Nov. 4 after a hearing found the NC-based charity was continuing to solicit across the state.

“Miracle House of Hope is a rogue organization that has shown complete disregard for the financial transparency that South Carolina requires of charitable organizations,” said Secretary of State Mark Hammond.

“Hopefully, this order of contempt and bench warrant will motivate Miracle House of Hope to come clean and let the people of South Carolina know what it is doing with their donations.”

Miracle House’s Facebook states they offer “Christian faith based transitional housing” for men and women struggling with addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Secretary Hammond noted that organizations like Miracle House of Hope that prey upon unsuspecting donors hurt legitimate charities that do good work.

“It’s a shame that the money that Miracle House of Hope collects isn’t going to a charity that will actually let donors know how they are using their contributions,” he said.

“The message that the court has sent is clear: If you are going to solicit in South Carolina, you must comply with South Carolina law or face the consequences.”

If you have a concern about a charitable organization, visit www.sos.sc.gov to file a complaint.