By AMY HEBERT
Consumer Education Specialist, Federal Trade Commission

There is no shortage of good causes to donate to this holiday season. But before you donate anything new, make sure you’re not donating to a scam.

Scammers are professionals at tricking people into donating. They often even use names that sound a lot like other charities you’ve heard of to get your money. Here’s how to make sure your money supports the causes you care about:

1. Don’t let yourself be rushed or pressured, especially on the phone. If it’s a fundraising request on social media, take the time to make sure the person who shared it with you knows the organization or person raising funds.
2. Research the charity before donating. Search for the name plus “complaint,” “review,” “rating,” or “scam.” You can also search for charities with organizations like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) ​​Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Watch, or Candid.
3. Don’t trust your caller ID. Technology makes it easy for scammers to spoof caller ID information. Calls can appear as if they are coming from your area code or from a specific organization even if they are not. In reality, the caller could be anywhere in the world.
4. Check out the charity’s website. Are there any details about the programs you plan to support or how the donations will be used? How much of your donation goes directly to supporting the programs you care about? Be suspicious if you don’t find detailed information about a charity’s mission and programs.
5. Be careful how you pay. If a charity asks you to pay with cryptocurrency, by wire transfer through Western Union or MoneyGram, with a payment app, or with a gift card, it’s likely a scam. Donating by credit card or check is safer.

Learn more about avoiding charity fraud at ftc.gov/charity.