Attorney General Curtis Hill announced Monday his office is supporting an international effort to raise awareness of charity fraud.
International Charity Fraud Awareness Week runs from today through Friday. It is sponsored by the Federal Trade Commission, the National Association of State Charities Officials and state charities regulators across the United States.
“We must do everything within our power to increase vigilance against fraud and scams of all kinds,” Attorney General Hill said. “Charity fraud is particularly loathsome because the perpetrators are taking advantage of good people’s generosity toward others in need. They are tricking big-hearted givers into thinking they’re donating to worthy causes instead of getting scammed.”
The FTC’s tips for avoiding falling prey to charity fraud include the following:
- Do your research by searching a charity’s name online with words such as “complaint” and “scam.”
- Check out the charity’s ratings with groups like the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch andGuidestar.
- Use the IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search to see if your donation is tax-deductible.
- Ask for a charity’s website, address and mission.
- Ask how much of your donation will go directly to services rather than fundraising.
- Ask how much of your donation will be used for the specific programs you want to support.
- Never make donations by giving cash, wiring money, donating by gift card or leaving money under your front door mat for pickup. Such methods are how scammers often ask you to pay. It’s safer to pay by credit card or check.
- If you’re donating online, check that the webpage where you enter your payment information has “https” in the web address. That means your information is transmitted securely.
- Never feel pressured into making a contribution; reputable charities do not use coercive tactics.
- Don’t assume that solicitations on social media or crowdfunding sites are legitimate – even when they are shared or liked by your friends.
