OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Four nonprofit agencies in Oklahoma City have joined in an effort to prevent people from receiving charity assistance and services from more than one agency.

The Salvation Army, Christmas Connection, Bethel Foundation and Skyline Urban Ministries are using a computer program that tracks clients by names and birth dates. Christmas Connection director Shelly Dutton said the agencies paid about $185 for the software for a year.

Some needy families sign up with more than one agency because they fear not qualifying for any help. Dutton says others are scam artists who try to get goods and other assistance from as many agencies as possible.

She says limiting families to assistance from only one agency allows each agency to provide services to more families that are in need.