Season of giving should not be season of scamming

This time of year, many folks take time to give back to those who may be less for­tunate. Some volunteer for a food pantry or mentor at an elementary school. Others do­nate to charities that target the causes they really care about. Nobody chooses to get scammed. But tricksters have figured out how to imperson­ate real charities to swindle money from caring people. In recent years, scammers have been caught imperson­ating charities online, calling people pretending to work for reputable charities, and even knocking on people’s doors in a big effort to con people out of money.

Rather than not donating at all, here are steps you can take to avoid scammers while continuing to give to important causes this holiday season.

• Research your preferred cause with specific search terms such as “homeless charities” or “child poverty charities” to find the organiza­tion that addresses the cause you care about. When you find your charity, search for its name followed by “review,” “complaint,” or even “scam” to find potentially fraudulent ac­tivities the charity may have been involved in.
• Organizations such as BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Char­ity Navigator, and Charity Watch can give you a list of reputable charities along with those with a shady history.
• Be careful of fake charities using names similar to well-known and legitimate chari­ties in an attempt to fool do­nors. Some have even reported scammers using fake websites and caller ids that are identi­cal to legitimate charities to fool people.
• Watch out for sham solici­tations by phone or in person from people supposedly rep­resenting real charities. If you receive a phone call or a solicitor at your doorstep, ask for information about the charity including the name, address and telephone num­ber of the organization. If the solicitor is making you feel rushed, under pressure, or even guilty, chances are they are scammer. A real charity would never make you feel bad about taking your time to donate and will always be happy to receive your dona­tion when it’s most conve­nient for you.
• Only give donations through secure payment methods. Checks and credit cards are considered safe pay­ment methods. Scammers ask for payment through cash, gift cards or wire transfers.
• If you donate, keep a record of it and be sure to review your bank statement to confirm on­ly the amount that was agreed upon was charged to your account.
• Trust your instincts. If someone is asking for person­al information such as your so­cial security number or bank information, do not provide it. This information is not re­quired to donate to a cause.

If you suspect you were scammed out of a donation:

• Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission.
• File a consumer complaint with the California Attorney General.

Don’t be discouraged from giving to a legitimate char­ity because of potential scam­mers. Thoughtful and caring charities still exist and they are always looking for ways to keep their doors open and help those in need. By following the tips above, you can be more certain that your next dona­tion will go towards a good cause, helping those most in need during this holiday sea­son.

On behalf of our entire team at the District Attorney’s Of­fice, which is dedicated to building safe and healthy communities, we wish you a joyful and safe holiday season.