Holiday Charity Scams: Five Red Flags
Many people share holiday spirit through gift giving and charitable donations. In fact, $3.1 billion was donated on Giving Tuesday in 2023.
Unfortunately, scammers are taking advantage of those giving back by creating fake causes and charities to steal your money. Be confident you know where your donation is going. Here are five red flags to watch for.
1. Donations through text message
It may be fast and easy, however, ensure the phone number contacting you for a donation matches the number listed on the charity’s website.
2. Pressure to donate immediately
Scammers may create a false sense of urgency with the hope you make an emotional decision to donate without thinking it through.
3. Sound-alike charities and web addresses
Scammers may change several letters or even a full word in the name of a well-known charity in order to fool you. Charity Navigator provides verified names of charities as well as their web addresses.
4. Donating with gift cards or wire transfers
These payment methods require sending codes that are generally untraceable, so scammers can take your donation and disappear.
5. A caller refers to your ‘previous donation.’
A commonly used tactic, scammers may try to deceive you into thinking you’ve donated to the charity in the past. Review your previous bank statements and keep a record of all your donations.
Bottom Line
While it’s a natural inclination to want to help right away, do your research to ensure your donation is going to the right organization. CharityWatch and give.org allow you to search for any charity for free. If you cannot find the charity you’re looking for, consider searching its name online followed by “scam” or “fraud.”
If you have any questions about a donation or believe you are a victim of a charity scam, call our Contact Center (513-333-3800) or your nearest branch location.