'Tis the season to be generous. With the holidays just around the corner, many of us think of those less fortunate and want to give what we can to help. While the act of donation is noble, the sad truth about this time of year is that there are those who want to prey on your kindness. holiday gifts scams are everywhere, and even the usually suspects people might not realize that they are put to use. The good news is, there are ways you can tell scams outside the real deal and protect you.
Why is the ideal holiday season for scammers?
charities receive the bulk of their annual donations during the months of October to December, according to Charity Navigator, a website dedicated to helping people avoid shady charities. Above all, this time of year inspires the desire to give back and give charity to people and causes that are near and dear to our hearts. Charities know and amplify their efforts during this period as a result. In addition to the spirit of giving, many charitable donations are made at the end of the year to take advantage of tax deductions. Those who could not donate for the remainder of the year often take their wallets in hopes of stimulating their refund.
Because people are so used to seeing and hearing about charities during this time of year, they will be more open to listening to a sales pitch holiday gifts. Scammers know this and take advantage of this generosity and openness. In addition, those who are hoping to get their gifts in time for counting tax deductions in the current year may be more willing to skip the research and make a donation blind.
How can you protect yourself against scams holiday gifts?
Nobody wants to be scammed, but especially not during the holiday season. Follow these tips to avoid falling for a holiday gift scam.
1. Do not give in to pressure. A holiday gift scammer might suggest that if you do not give just this minute, you will not be able to give to all. If the organization is legitimate, that is simply not the case! Although you might feel pressured by someone on the phone or in front of you, scammers will rely on angry victims rebate credit card information or money under pressure. Instead of giving right away, ask for information such as the website or contact details of the organization and to do research on your own. If the person refuses to provide any information or becomes insistent you to donate right this second, they are probably trying to scam you.
2. Do your research. If you are considering donating to a charity, the best thing you can do to make sure it is a legitimate organization is to do some research. Wise Better Business Bureau Giving Alliance provides information about thousands of charities, large and small, across the country. You can also check with the IRS to ensure that the agency has produced reports on how its funds are allocated. Equally important to ensure a charity is legitimate is to ensure that it does not use the funds.
During your research, it is a good idea to find out what percentage of your donation will actually go to the cause you want to support. Some charities give only a fraction of the money received, while keeping the majority as profit. This also applies to the donation of products - especially the more expensive items such as cars. If a charity claims to support the injured firefighters, you must make sure that most of your donation actually goes to help firefighters rather than padding the pockets of the advisory body members.
3. Be careful when visiting charity sites. Often, fraudsters will buy websites with similar names to charity, they want to emulate in the hope of catching people who mistype a URL. The sites will often be very similar to the legitimate site, but there are ways to tell if you are the right place or not. First, make sure that you type the correct URL. You can make sure you visit the correct site by doing a web search on Google and clicking the link from there, instead of typing in yourself or clicking on a link from an email. Some organizations solicit donations by email, mail or telemarketing, but it is always a good practice to be careful when you are looking at a website -. Before making this donation
4. Never give out your information, especially on the phone. Most organizations accept checks or cash. Beware of any charity which emphasizes only to accept the donation by credit card, and never give anyone your credit card information by phone or in an email. holiday gifts scams may be responsible for identity theft, in addition to steal your money. Make donations by check is the smartest way to donate - not only will it keep your credit card data securely, but it gives you a permanent record of payment that cash donations will not. Also, when writing a check make sure it is done in the organization and not an individual. This will ensure your money will go into the appropriate hands when the check is cashed.
5. Be wary of "crowd funding" and other non-organization donations. Not all locations of donation scams from people claiming to be charities. in recent years, particularly with the advent of social media and sites like GoFundMe, it has become more popular for individuals and families to seek donations from friends and strangers online as well. While many these calls for help are legitimate, this can also be a way for unscrupulous individuals to exploit the charity of others during the holiday season. If you want to give in this way, to research money from the person or family who asks to be sure they are in need.
Although it is important to be smart about the gifts, you should not let holiday gift fears prevent you from scams give this holiday season. You can stay informed about the latest news and impersonation learn more about keeping your safe by following our blog protect against identity theft.