The holiday season often brings out our generous side. It’s not just about giving gifts to friends and loved ones. We may also be moved to give to charities at the end of the year to the benefit of our neighbors.
With so many organizations claiming to do good for the community, how can you tell between a legitimate non-profit organization and a scam posing as one? If you do decide to give to charity, it’s important to do your research and not get caught up in fraud. Here’s what you need to watch for before giving to a “good cause.”
Always Know Who You Are Giving To
Appeals to give charitable gifts can come in many different forms: Volunteers collecting outside of stores, callers claiming to be with charities, or emails asking for your support. But before you donate, it’s important to know who you are giving to.
Start by searching for the charity online. Some of the common terms to search for include the charity name alongside “complaint,” “review,” or “scam.” You can also check the charity’s ratings with Charity Navigator and Charity Watch to ensure your money is going to whom the organization says they are helping.
Don’t Trust Caller ID or Web Pages
With today’s technology, anyone can spoof caller ID to portray themselves as a charity caller or build a webpage to ask for donations. Not everyone has good intentions. Even though people may portray themselves as a charity and ask for money, it may still be a scam designed to steal your money, debit card number, or credit card number.
If the donation website doesn’t share a web address with the charity’s main webpage or affiliates, doesn’t display a lock in the address bar, or the caller is discouraging you from doing additional research, it could be a scam. Don’t give any money unless you are 100% certain that the money is ultimately going to that charity – if there’s any doubt, then take a moment to research before you give anything.
Don’t Fall for Pressure to Give
One tactic scammers often use is pressure to respond to their demands immediately. When it comes to charity scams, some of the things they may say include:
- “This is a one-time drive for immediate benefit…”
- “You may qualify for a gift…”
- “You won’t be able to give online for this cause…”
In addition, you may be pressured to give using alternative methods, including gift cards, money wires, or even cryptocurrency. If you are being pressured to give immediately, it is most likely a scam.
Legitimate charities will not try to pressure you to give using a debit or credit card immediately. Scammers will use this information to commit theft or fraud using your information. Moreover, a scammer may prefer a gift card, money wire, or cryptocurrency to make it more difficult to trace them or get your money back. Never cave to pressure towards giving on demand. Instead, hang up or close the website until you have time to do your research.
Giving to charity this holiday season can be a very rewarding way to help your community, but only if it’s going to a good cause. By being aware of these scam signs, you can make sure your identity is safe and your money is benefiting those in need.