Would-be scammers assault us year-round, through our telephones, the mail and social media. As the holiday season approaches, we should be on the lookout for scams that have the appearance of being requests for donations from legitimate charities. The Federal Trade Commission warns about these as well as shopping scams during the holidays.
Tis the season for gift giving. Unfortunately, some view this as an opportunity to take advantage of that giving spirit. The FTC reminds us:
• Fake charity scammers make bogus phone calls and may even create fake charity websites to try to steal your money or personal information. They may often spoof legitimate charities’ phone numbers.
• Charity scammers want to get your money quickly. They often pressure you to donate right away. They ask for cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. Scammers often refuse to send you information about the charity. They won’t answer questions or explain how the money will be used. They might even lie and say you already made a pledge to donate.
• Scammers may send fake shipping notifications via email and text messages, or random text messages inviting you to tap a link and “claim your prize.”
• A recent survey from the AARP found that more than half of the respondents say they have received fraudulent delivery text messages, which may appear to come from a “driver” who can’t find your house. Then you’re asked to click on a link which could install credential-stealing malware onto your device.
• Gift cards remain popular with scammers, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) reports that fraud involving gift cards surged by 50% in the first three quarters of 2023 compared to the same period last year. Scammers also often try to convince consumers to use gift cards as payments, especially for online transactions.
• The FBI issued a PSA warning the public of scammers targeting online shoppers during this holiday season. The PSA offers general tips to consumers on how to protect yourself when buying or selling online. If you are a victim of fraud, report it to the FBI IC3 at www.ic3.gov as quickly as possible.
• During this season of giving, please consider sharing this information, especially with your senior friends and family. The AARP survey found that nearly 80% of respondents 65 or older have been targeted or fallen victim to at least one form of fraud this year.
• You can file complaints with the FCC about unwanted robocalls and robotexts and spoofing, along with telecom billing, service issues and other matters the FCC oversees. Information about the FCC’s informal complaint process, including how to file a complaint, and what happens after a complaint is filed, is available in the FCC Complaint Center FAQ.
All that being said, there are many fine charities that would appreciate your donation and put the money to good use. Take time to become familiar with an organization BEFORE you donate. And don’t forget, the Golden Belt Community Foundation is already accepting donations for Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3. You can donate to dozens of organizations and endowed funds in our area with one check. Learn more at goldenbeltcf.org.
There are other local foundations or organizations as well. If you can afford to donate $100 four times a year, consider the Barton County 100+ Who Care at 100BartonCounty.org.
The gift of your time is always appreciated at many locations.
