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 poised to take advantage of this generosity—especially during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. 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 this:
- Look them up. Research the charity using websites like Charity Navigator, 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. A real charity will have a professional-looking website with clear information about its mission and how donations are used.
- Ask questions. If you’re unsure, contact the organization directly. Legitimate charities will be happy to answer your questions.
2. Beware of High-Pressure Tactics
It’s in a scammer’s best interest to rush you into donating before you can second-guess your decision. Real charities appreciate your donations but won’t force you to give right away. Take your time to decide 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 like to play on people’s emotions because when we are triggered, we are less likely to say no.
- Demands cash, wire transfers, or gift cards. Ignore or report donation requests that require gift cards or wire transfers. They are almost always scams. Cash donations are common (even with legitimate organizations) but riskier than credit card donations because you can’t get it back once it’s gone. Legitimate charities will be just as pleased to receive your contributions via check or other secure form of payment.
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 you didn’t contact the charity first, double-check that the request is real.
- Don’t click on email links. Modern scammers create convincing fake emails that look like they’re from legitimate charities. Instead of clicking links, go directly to the charity’s website by typing the URL into your browser. Then, inspect the website for common red flags.
4. Pay Safely
When donating, use payment methods that protect you. Avoid giving cash or using services like wire transfers or gift cards, as these are difficult to trace. Stick with safer options, such as:
- Credit cards. They offer more protection if something goes wrong.
- Checks. Make them out directly to the charity, not to an individual.
- Secure online platforms. Only donate through secure websites (look for “https” in the URL).
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. Do some research or, at the very least, ask questions about the organization and its intentions for the money being collected.
- Check the organizer’s credibility. Are they connected to the charity? Are they someone you know?
- Use official donation sites. If possible, skip social media links and seek out the website of the charity you wish to donate to independently. Also, send donations directly to the charity rather than sending money to individuals seeking donations.
6. Be Wary of Seasonal Charities
It’s no surprise that the holiday season is a prime time for donation scams. Scammers know that people are more likely to donate during this time, so they ramp up their efforts with holiday-themed drives and causes. Always trust your instincts—if something feels off about the request, take a step back and do some research before parting with your money.
In particular, watch out for:
- Short-term holiday charities. Scammers often invent holiday-themed causes that are not connected to established charities. Commonly used faux causes include providing meals to families or gifts for children.
- Holiday-specific email scams. Scammers often use the busy holiday season to pressure people into donating to fraudulent charities and GoFundMe campaigns. Be cautious of unexpected emails claiming to be from charities or causes related to holiday giving. Always verify the legitimacy of donation requests before giving.
- Robocalls and Text Messages. Watch out for calls or texts from random numbers asking for money. Also, be aware that scammers may spoof legitimate charities’ phone numbers. As a general practice, it’s best to avoid donating over the phone altogether.
7. Stay Informed
Scammers are always finding new ways to trick people, so staying informed is important. Regularly check for updates on common scams from reliable sources like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ). Through the Oregon DOJ, you can also join the Oregon Scam Alert Network by submitting your email address to receive up-to-the-minute information about scams, frauds, and other threats to consumers.
Giving to charity is a beautiful way to positively impact your community, especially during the holiday season. Just be cautious and do your homework to ensure your donations go to the right places—and not into the pockets of scammers.
Want more tips on charitable giving?
- Check out our article on how to respond to donation requests at the grocery store and other retailers (coming soon).
- Find out which charitable donations are tax-deductible (and which ones are not).