WASHINGTON — After a weekend of record spending on holiday shopping, charities are hoping you have a few more dollars to donate on this Giving Tuesday.
Giving Tuesday was founded in 2012 by New York's 92nd Street Y in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, according to GivingTuesday.org. It’s a day that encourages you to do good.
You can donate everything from food and clothes, to blood, and your time. Many charities say they can do the most good with a monetary donation. If that’s the route you want to take, know scammers are hoping to capitalize on your kindness.
Katalin Parti, a cybercrime expert with Virginia Tech, shared these tips with us to make sure your money goes where you intend.
First, think twice about donating over a cold call. Parti says charity scammers like to impersonate legitimate charities, sometimes even spoofing part of their name.
“They may call you using a local phone number,” said Parti. “That tactic can give you a false sense of security.”
Parti says their story may be touching, but the giveaway will be a lack of important details.
“Listen closely because they will never actually specify how they will help. They may even claim that you’ve donated before and ask you to do it again,” Parti said.
Next up, do your research to make sure an organization is credible. You can use tools like Charity Watch, a tax-exempt organization search tool through the IRS, or even just a Google search. Pay close attention to the website. Look for a secure lock symbol before the web address in your browser.
Protect your personal information. It’s normal for a charity to need your credit card number to receive a donation, but they don’t need your bank account number or social security name.
Don't set up recurring donations. If you want to donate more than once, make a new donation each time.
Avoid donating cash, gift cards or cryptocurrency, because there's almost no way to get your money back if you are scammed, Parti said. Instead, use a credit card or check, so your bank can help you dispute any suspicious charges.