Attorney General Bondi is releasing tips for charitable giving ahead of Giving Tuesday. Encouraging generosity following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is a day recognized around the world that is devoted to giving back. While the holiday season often inspires many to be kind and give to a good cause, scammers may seek to take advantage of the kindness of others.
“‘Giving Tuesday’ is an important time to support charities working to improve the lives of others, and helping those less fortunate is especially important during the holiday season—BUT before you donate, make sure the charity you are giving to is legitimate and not a scam,” said Attorney General Bondi.
Here are some tips to safeguard against charity-related scams this holiday season:
- Research a charity by using Charity Navigator to confirm the charity is legitimate;
- Understand how much of the donation will actually go toward the work of the charity as opposed to administrative and fundraising expenses;
- Be proactive and donate to a reputable charity, rather than wait to be solicited;
- If donating online at a fundraising site, be sure to confirm the identity of the recipient and be careful when providing any personal contact information;
- Ask for a pledge form and information about the charity in the mail if the charity you are interested in donating to initiates contact;
- Do not give credit card or bank account information over the phone or in response to an unsolicited email; and
- Contact the Attorney General’s Office at (866) 9-NO-SCAM or call the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance at (703) 276-0100 to determine if there are any complaints against a charity.
For more responsible giving tips, please read Attorney General Bondi’s 2017 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide.
