INDIANA – Giving what you can do due to tragic crises and natural disasters around the world is admirable. However, beware of criminals soliciting donations and falsely posing as legitimate charities.
Fake charity promoters use emails, fake websites, and/or alter their caller ID to make it appear like a real charity when soliciting potential donors. They seek money and personal information, which can be used to exploit victims through identity theft.
The IRS offers the following tips to protect against fake charities:
Verify first
Ask the fundraiser for the charity’s exact name, website, and mailing address to confirm the information independently. Use the Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) tool to verify if an organization is a legitimate tax-exempt charity.
Don’t be pressured
Legitimate charities are happy to receive donations at any time. Do not feel pressured into making an immediate payment.
Don’t give more than needed
Scammers want money and personal information. Treat your personal information like cash, and don’t hand it to anyone.
Be wary
Never trust charities that request donations from personal gift cards or by wiring money. The safest way to pay is by credit card or check, but only after verifying the charity is real. Review the FBI’s Charity and Disaster Fraud resources if you encounter a fake or suspicious charity.
