Criminals are posing as charities during the year-end giving season. Know the warning signs before you donate, so your gift reaches a real cause.
Fake charities are working the holiday giving season, and AARP is warning people to check before they give. Criminals copy the look of trusted organizations and count on you feeling generous and rushed. The result is a donation that goes into a thief's pocket instead of helping anyone.
The classic sign is the payment method. Scammers often ask for gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency. Another sign is pressure to give right now. Real charities may encourage timely giving, but they will gladly take your support at any time.
Names and web addresses can fool you, because criminals often imitate well-known groups. Links in unexpected emails, texts or social media messages can lead to fake donation sites. They can also expose your device to malware, which is harmful software.
Anyone who gets donation requests by phone, email, text or social media can be targeted. People who pick their charities ahead of time are on firmer ground. AARP suggests keeping a list of causes you support, so a surprise request is easy to set aside.
The alert box above lists the steps to take. One reason to pay by credit card: your gift is easier to track, and you are protected against loss if the card is misused. The AARP article does not say how many fake appeals are out there or how much money has been lost.
Never pay a charity with gift cards, wire transfers or crypto, and look it up on give.org, CharityNavigator.org or CharityWatch.org before you give.
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