Giving Tuesday is here and millions around the world are donating to charity. This also makes them vulnerable to potential scams.

According to a recent nationwide survey of about 1,900 U.S. adults by AARP, more than three-quarters of respondents said they had experienced fraudulent activity. The survey found that online shopping practices pose additional risks for donors and shoppers. 35 percent of respondents reported receiving fake charity donation requests.

“Unfortunately, fraudsters are eager to exploit this goodwill for their own benefit,” Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares said in a statement Dec. 3 warning residents to be careful with their donations on Giving Tuesday.

The AARP survey found that six in 10 Americans don’t always do their own research before committing to a cause.

When did Giving Tuesday start?

The idea of ​​Giving Tuesday came about in 2012 to encourage people to “do good.” It takes place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, which falls on December 3rd in 2024. The holiday is a break from the Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday shopping events.

Twelve years later, the movement has grown worldwide and inspires millions of people every year to give back. The Giving Tuesday website notes that leaders in nearly 100 countries have launched initiatives.

Last year, Malawi, Georgia, Seychelles and Indonesia joined as official Giving Tuesday countries.

“Every year, the creativity, commitment, time and spirit that our leaders, community members and many millions of generous people in every country put into GivingTuesday is a reminder of what is possible when we work together for the common good.” , Asha Curran, GivingTuesday HeadquartersRsays a press release.

Tuesday gift giving is now a year-round movement.

How does Giving Tuesday work?

The Giving Tuesday website boasts that $3.1 billion was donated on Charity Day in 2023, a 0.6 percent increase from 2022.

However, an estimated 34 million U.S. adults participated in Giving Tuesday in 2023 – a 10 percent decrease from 2022. The Giving Tuesday website notes that this “reflects trends in the nonprofit sector over the past year.”

“We are so inspired to see generosity of this magnitude every year. Our goal with GivingTuesday is to create an ecosystem of giving that helps communities, causes and organizations around the world, not just on the day itself, but throughout the year,” Curran said.

“However, we are concerned that participation will decline, consistent with last year’s fundraising trends. GivingTuesday’s mission is to inspire generosity in as many people as possible, not just to raise as many dollars as possible.”

“Generosity has such an important connection to civic participation, community cohesion and well-being,” Curran added.

How to avoid fraud

Platforms such as Charity Navigator and Guidestar can help confirm that a charity is registered. They often also contain financial reports.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also has a donor search tool that can be used to verify whether an organization is actually tax-exempt.

The Better Business Bureau also suggests reviewing basic fundraising tips on Give.org. One suggestion is that the donor should be told the exact name of the charity, as “misidentity is a common problem with so many existing charities.”

The website also cautions that donors should resist pressure from telemarketers and door-to-door solicitors. This allows people to actually research the details of a charity, review a website, and consider suggestions from state charity officials.

Where can I donate?

After people find credible charities, they can donate through websites related to the causes they care about. Monetary donations are often tax deductible.

Other ways to donate include organizing food drives, volunteering at an animal shelter, or donating blood.