With Giving Tuesday recently behind us and the holiday season in full swing, it’s that time of year when we reflect on how we can leave the world a little better off as we head into the new year.
But your money spent on leaving the world better off might get into the wrong hands if you’re not careful. Unfortunately, the season of giving means the season of stealing for scammers who use fake charities to solicit donations, which reached $22.5 million in 2023 alone.
Here are some best practices to ensure you donate securely and safely to legitimate organizations this holiday season:
- Avoid unsolicited donation requests – including phone calls, social media DMs, emails and texts. Chances are they are fraudulent.
- Use trusted websites. Charity Navigator, CharityWatch and Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance monitor are helpful resources for vetting and verifying charities.
- Review the charity’s website directly. The website should include information about their programs, oversight and funding structures. While you’re at it, research members of the leadership team on LinkedIn to confirm their background aligns with their charity’s purpose, for a more informed donation decision.
- Pay attention to the payment method required. If you have to pay through a third-party application, with cryptocurrency or via wire transfer, it’s probably not legitimate. If possible, you should pay with a credit card directly on the charity’s website. Keep a record of your donations so that if the charity ends up being fraudulent, you can review your credit card statement and use it as evidence to dispute the charge.
- Don’t overshare. If the charity is asking for information beyond your first and last name and email address, red flags should be raised in your mind. Your Social Security number, date of birth and bank account number should never be required to make a charitable donation.
This season of giving will always be uplifting, regardless of the charity scams out there, but it never hurts to take a few extra safety precautions before making your donations.
If you fall victim to a charity scam this season, you can report it to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. Stay safe out there, friends!
About Schneider Downs Cybersecurity
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