September 2023
Fraud Alert
Fraud Alert
By Myra Alport
There are endless worthy causes to support If you are charity minded. Before saying “yes” to a new donation request, take a brief pause to investigate whether a charity is legitimate.
Charity fraud is on the rise by scammers who create fake charities or mimic legitimate charities to solicit donations in the form of cash, wire transfers, gift cards and cryptocurrency. While charity scams are widespread, they are especially prevalent after major disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes and other horrific circumstances.
As we have shared in previous newsletters, scammers pressure you to act right away. They may approach you via telemarketing calls, text messages or email phishing scams. You may be alerted on social media and crowdfunding platforms. Someone may even knock on your door!
Here are some tips to protect yourself from fake charity scams:
Avoid pressure campaigns of any kind. Legitimate charities will accept donations anytime.
Verify and research. Ask for the exact charity’s name, address and website so you can independently confirm it. Ask for a call back number and verify online.
Be wary of donations by way of gift cards or wire transfers. Once verified, pay with a debit or credit card so you can dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company if necessary.
Protect your privacy. Release limited personal information if asked. A charity won’t ask for your SSN, date of birth or bank information.
Check out the following resources to help you avoid becoming a victim of charity scams:
The Internal Revenue Service website offers this searching tool of tax-exempt organizations.
International Charity Fraud Awareness Week is Nov 12-18, 2023, to increase awareness of fraud by promoting anti-fraud awareness and education.
If you have questions, please contact us.
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