Giving Smartly This Holiday Season

October 30, 2024

By K-Staff

Fraud, Insighter

More and more, whether it’s dropping a few dollars in a red kettle outside the local grocery store, or sending money to organizations that support causes we are sympathetic towards, we look to help those less fortunate during the holiday season.

The amount of organizations that claim to support charitable causes are growing, but not all of them are legitimate. Scammers and fraudsters are always looking to prey on your sympathies to secure easy money – so before you give out your credit card information or cut a check for charity this holiday, follow these rules so you can give smartly.

Stop and verify

Scammers will often use sound-alike or spell-alike organizational names in their pitches to try to get you to associate them with a reputable charity. Before you donate, research online to make sure the organization is legitimate. Websites like Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, and the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance provide easy-to-use search functionality to suss out the helpful from the harmful.

Don't feel pressured to respond

One of the most powerful weapons in a scammer’s arsenal is pressure. If they can create a sense of urgency to act, they can typically get their targets to respond without thinking about the situation.

If you receive an unsolicited call requesting immediate payment, remember that you don’t need to respond. Legitimate charities are happy to receive donations at any time and won’t cold-call you to demand payments.

Do not open suspicious emails

If you receive a suspicious email requesting donations or other assistance, don’t click on any links or open any attachments—you could expose yourself to malware or viruses.

Double-check websites

Some scammers will create look-alike websites for charitable organizations trying to gain your trust – and then your money. Make sure that the website you are on is for the charity you want to contribute towards, and make sure the website is secure – a padlock in the address bar is a good indication of this.

Also look out for incorrect spelling, inconsistent formatting, bad website design, and lack of proper contact information – scam websites often aren’t as polished and professional as legitimate websites for charitable organizations.

Use a credit card for contributions

If you’re being asked to give a donation in a way that isn’t easily traced or protected (cash, gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, etc.), that can be a red flag that the charity in question is a scam.

If you want to make a donation, but allow yourself some protection, use a credit card. You can dispute the charge if the organization is not legitimate, and you won’t be putting your money at risk.

Additionally, you should keep records of your donations and review your statements to ensure you’re only being charged what you have agreed to donate, and that you aren’t enrolled in a recurring donation.

Sources:

https://www.fcc.gov/scam-charities-will-take-your-money-and-run

https://www.fcc.gov/beware-holiday-charity-scams

https://wgme.com/news/i-team/12-days-of-holiday-fraud-beware-of-fake-charities-during-the-season-of-giving

Welcome To The Insighter!

Giving Smartly This Holiday Season

Stop and verify

Don't feel pressured to respond

Do not open suspicious emails

Double-check websites

Use a credit card for contributions

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