Charity Scams

Some scammers set up fake organizations to take advantage of the public’s generosity. They especially take advantage of tragedies and disasters.

How to Report Charity Scams

• Your state consumer protection office can accept and investigate consumer complaints.
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC does not resolve individual matters. But it does track charity fraud claims and sues companies on the behalf of consumers.
• Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud, if the fraud is because of a natural disaster.

The Do Not Call Registry doesn’t apply to charities. But you can ask an organization not to contact you again.

How to Protect Yourself From Charity Scams

Follow these tips to detect common charity scam tactics:

Do

• Check out the charity with your state consumer protection office or the Better Business Bureau.
• Verify the name. Fake charities often choose names that are close to well-established charities.

Don’t

• Don’t give in to high-pressure tactics such as urging you to donate immediately.
• Don’t assume that you can get a tax deduction for donating to an organization. Use the IRS’s database of 501(c)3 organizations to find out if it has this status.
• Don’t send cash. Pay with a check or credit card.