How can I find out if a church or "ministry" is legitimate?

Question

I have an acquaintance whose sister has giving thousands of dollars to a ministry or a church that she's been attending for about 2 years. The congregation was recently convinced to purchase a brand new Escalade for the Pastor & wife. The congregation pays their monthly rent on their place of residence. She's now become deeply in debt and has resorted to asking her elderly Mother to give her large sums of money to avoid losing her home etc. I would like to know if there is an agency I can contact who may keep be able to check into the legitimacy of this so called church. Any info would be helpful.

Answer 1

Check with the Attorney General's office for the state where she lives. They should be able to let her know if the church is legitimate or not. If they are not, the Attorney General's office will investigate them and maybe can get some of the money returned to your friend's sister.