More Fraudulent Schemes Impact Charities
Many charitable organizations are dedicated to helping those affected by COVID19 as well as those helping fight racism and promoting social change. But scammers are now taking advantage of our eagerness to help. They have created fake groups, posing as legitimate charitable organizations to solicit donations from unsuspecting donors, funneling money away from the real thing.
Be wary of charities with names that are similar to familiar organizations. Before donating to a charity, make sure that the link or organization is legitimate, and never donate cash, gift cards, or funds by wire transfer. Here’s a tool to help check out the status of charitable groups: irs.gov/charities-and-nonprofits.
Protecting yourself from scams
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to protect yourself from scams:
- Don’t click on unfamiliar links in emails, text messages, and instant messaging services. If it makes you feel suspicious, follow your instinct.
- Never download email attachments unless you can verify that the sender is legitimate.
- Keep device and security software up-to-date, maintain strong passwords, and use multi-factor authentication.
- Don’t answer the phone if you don’t recognize the phone number — let it go to voicemail and check later to verify the caller.
- Never share personal or financial information, whether it is through email, text, or over the phone.
- If you see a scam, be sure to report it to the FTC at gov/complaint.