Although the Christmas season often prompts us to share our good fortunes with the less fortunate, one should be wary of the crooks out there who take advantage of our generosity.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers the below piece to help you avoid bogus, crooked scams:
When you give to a charity,
you’re giving because you care and want to help — and you want to be sure your
money actually gets to those you’re trying to help. But scammers who pretend to
be a charity try to get to your wallet. So consider these tips before you give:
Rule out anyone who asks you
to send cash, pay with a gift card, or wire money.
Confirm the exact name of the
charity and do some research, especially when donating for the first time.
Search for the name of the charity online — plus the word “complaint” or
“scam.” That’s one way to learn about a charity’s reputation.
Give to charities you know
and trust, with a proven track record. Before you give to any charity, check
them out with the Better Business Bureau's (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, Charity
Navigator, Charity Watch, or GuideStar.
Be wary of charities that
seem to pop up overnight in connection with a natural disaster or other
tragedy.
Don’t assume that pleas for
help on crowdfunding sites or social media are legitimate. Real victims’
pictures and stories can easily be misused to con you.
Before you text to donate,
confirm the number on the charity’s website.
Never click on links or open
attachments in e-mails, even if they appear to be from a charity. You could
unknowingly install malware on your computer or be taken to a look-alike
website run by scammers.
For more information, visit
ftc.gov/charity. If you think you’ve spotted a charity scam, tell us at
ftc.gov/complaint.
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