It’s the season of giving, and there’s no doubt that donating to charity is a wonderful way to help others. Unfortunately, scammers are also poised to take advantage of our generosity. And it’s not surprising. We’re feeling charitable but perhaps a little overwhelmed by the onslaught of bell ringers, donation requests, and toy drives. That’s why it’s easy for fraudsters to join the cacophony and trick us out of money (or personal information). So, how can you make sure your holiday contributions are meaningful? And, more importantly, how do you avoid falling victim to holiday donation scams?
Here are some tips to protect yourself and your donations:
1. Research Before You Donate
Before giving to an unfamiliar charity, do some research. Scammers often create fake organizations or copy the names of legitimate charitable organizations. To avoid falling into a scam:
- Look them up. Research the charity using websites like Charity Navigator, Candid (formerly GuideStar), or Give.org. Give.org provides free charity evaluations based on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) ‘s “Standards for Charity Accountability.”
- Check their website. Look for clear information about the charity’s mission, programs, and how donations are used. Make sure you’re visiting the organization’s legitimate website, since scammers can create convincing copies with slightly different web addresses.
- Ask questions. If you’re unsure, contact the organization directly using independently verified contact information. A legitimate charity should be willing to explain its programs and how donations support its work.
2. Beware of High-Pressure Tactics
It’s in a scammer’s best interest to rush you into donating before you have time to research the charity or question their claims. Legitimate charities appreciate donations, but they won’t pressure you to give immediately. Take your time deciding where you want your money to go. Be cautious of anyone who:
- Pressures you for immediate donations. They may rush you to prevent you from noticing the red flags of their scam.
- Tries to guilt you into giving money. Scammers often play on people’s emotions, hoping feelings of guilt or sympathy will persuade them to donate without asking questions.
- Demands cash, wire transfers, or gift cards. Be especially cautious if someone insists you donate using gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. These are common scam tactics because the money can be difficult to recover. Cash donations aren’t necessarily suspicious, but paying by credit card or check generally offers greater security and a better record of your contribution.
3. Verify Donation Requests
During the holiday season, you might receive an abundance of donation requests through phone calls, emails, or even social media. Many of these will be legitimate, but scammers also use these methods to trick people into giving money to fake causes. To avoid scams:
- Be skeptical of unsolicited requests. If a charity contacts you unexpectedly, take a moment to verify that the request is legitimate before donating.
- Don’t click on unexpected donation links. Scammers can create convincing emails and messages that appear to come from legitimate charities. Instead of following a link in an unsolicited message, visit the charity’s official website using a web address you’ve verified independently. Then, watch for common scam red flags.
4. Pay Safely
When donating, choose payment methods that help protect your money. Be wary of anyone who insists on payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer. These methods can make it difficult to recover your money if something goes wrong. Safer options include:
- Credit cards. They generally offer stronger protections if you need to dispute a fraudulent charge.
- Checks. Make them out directly to the charity, not to an individual.
- Secure online platforms. Donate through the charity’s verified website or a trusted fundraising platform. Look for “https” in the web address, but remember that an encrypted connection doesn’t guarantee a website is legitimate.
5. Be Cautious with Social Media Fundraisers
While social media can be a great place to discover causes, it’s also a space where scammers thrive. To stay safe:
- Verify the legitimacy of any fundraising campaigns. Research the organization or cause before donating. Look for clear information about who is collecting the money, how it will be used, and who will receive it.
- Check the organizer’s credibility. Are they connected to the charity? Are they someone you know? If a fundraiser claims to benefit a particular organization, contact that organization independently to confirm the connection.
- Use official donation platforms. If you’re supporting an established charity, consider donating directly through its official website rather than following a social media link. If you’re contributing to an individual fundraiser, research the organizer and review the fundraising platform’s policies and protections before sending money.
6. Be Wary of Seasonal Charities
Scammers know that people are more likely to donate during the holidays, so they take advantage of the season with fraudulent fundraising appeals. Keep that in mind as you scroll and shop online. Even if a request seems to support a worthy cause, take a little time to verify who’s collecting the money and how it will be used.
In particular, watch out for:
- Unfamiliar holiday charities. Scammers may invent organizations that claim to provide holiday meals, gifts for children, or other seasonal assistance. New or temporary fundraising campaigns aren’t necessarily suspicious, but you should be able to verify who’s behind them and where donations will go
- Holiday-specific email scams. Fraudulent appeals may imitate familiar charities or claim to support urgent seasonal needs. Be cautious of unexpected messages, especially those that pressure you to donate immediately.
- Robocalls and Text Messages. Be wary of unexpected calls or texts requesting donations. Scammers can even spoof legitimate charities’ phone numbers. If you want to contribute, end the call or ignore the message and contact the charity independently through a verified channel.
7. Stay Informed
Scammers are always finding new ways to trick people, so staying informed is important. Check for updates on common scams from reliable sources like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ). Both offer resources to help you recognize suspicious requests and protect yourself from fraud.
Giving to charity is a meaningful way to support your community, especially during the holiday season. With a little research and a healthy dose of caution, you can feel more confident that your donations will reach the people and causes you want to support.