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Looking to donate your car? Make sure to do your homework

Here's what to do so you don't get duped
Posted at 7:20 PM, Dec 27, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-27 20:24:56-05

DETROIT (WXYZ) — Are you thinking about donating your car to charity or a good cause? It is that time of year when folks think about forking it over for a tax write-off too.

Make sure you do your homework and your research before you hand over your vehicle.

Action News went to Great Lakes Advanced Recycling (GLR), a full service scrap metal and car recycling company.

They’ve seen business pick up during this holiday season for years. People are looking to get the Kelley Blue Book or whichever is greater. GLR gets a lot of cars from donation programs from across the country.

This year Michael Bassirpour, CEO of Great Lakes Advanced Recycling, created one of his own. His programs purpose is to shed more light on an epidemic that plagues many people around the world. So, GLR partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness in metro Detroit.

"Mental illness touches everyone, whether it’s yourself or someone you know. One hundred percent of the proceeds that we pay for the junk car goes toward that donation. Something that I started, it’s near and dear to my heart. My family’s lost two members to mental illness,” Bassipour said with a heavy heart

Bassirpour and his staff want to make sure wherever you decide to donate you car, that you don’t get taken advantage of.

And here's how to do that:

- Make sure the company can provide proof of where your car donation is going

- Get a receipt and tax donation write-off form

- Get proof of your donation amount

- Schedule Your Vehicle pick-up with a reputable company

If you would like to donate your vehicle to GLR to help raise money for programs for the NAMI, the National Alliance On Mental Illness, call 1-833-674-CARS or www.glradvanced/donate.