It is the holiday season and most people want to try to be a little nicer. During the giving season, you need to stay vigilant and protect those that are not so tech-savvy from fraudsters who want to rip you off during this season of goodwill. Cyber thieves can use social networking sites and mobile devices to solicit fake donations to take advantage of your charity. Experts recommend that no matter how they reach out to you, post-office, Facebook, email, phone, or text, avoid any charity or fundraiser that:
Refuses to share detailed information about its identity, mission, costs, and how the donation will be used.- Won’t give proof that a contribution is tax-deductible.
- Uses a name that closely resembles that of a better-known, reputable organization.
- Thanks you for a pledge you don’t remember making.
- Uses high-pressure tactics like trying to get you to donate immediately, without giving you time to think about it and do your research.
- Asks for donations in cash or asks you to wire money.
- Offers to send a courier or overnight delivery service to collect the donation immediately.
- Guarantees sweepstakes winnings in exchange for a contribution. (By law, you never have to give a donation to be eligible to win a sweepstakes.)
To slow down the cyber-thieves, take the following precautions to make sure your donation helps the causes you want to help and not the scammers:
- Ask for detailed information about the charity, including name, address, and telephone number.
- Get the exact name of the organization and do some research.
- Call the charity. Find out if the organization is aware of the solicitation and has authorized the use of its name.
- Check if the charity is trustworthy by contacting the
- Keep a record of your donations.
- Make an annual donation plan. That way, you can decide which causes to support and which reputable charities should receive your donations.
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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.
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