Attorney General Moody issues tips to avoid charity scams during the holidays
The year-end holiday season is a popular time for generous Floridians to donate and Attorney General Ashley Moody is providing Floridians with tips to help ensure contributions go toward intended causes.
“[I]t is crucial for generous Floridians to be aware of the possibility of charity scams before donating,” Moody said. “We want to ensure that charitable donations go to legitimate organizations that genuinely support their causes, rather than lining the pockets of fraudsters.”
The AG offers the following tips to help stay protected from charity scams:
- Research the Charity: Before donating, research the charity online and make sure it is accredited with the Better Business Bureau or check for its rating on Charity Navigator;
- Beware of Similar Names: Scammers may use names that sound similar to well-known charities;
- Be Cautious with Unsolicited Requests: Do not automatically trust phone calls, emails or text messages from unknown or unverified sources requesting donations;
- Don’t Share Personal or Financial Information: Never provide personal or financial information to an unexpected contact; and
- Secure Online Donations: When donating online, ensure the website is secure and the URL begins with ‘https://.’ Look for the padlock symbol in the web address bar.
For more tips related to charity scams, view Attorney General Moody’s Scams at a Glance: Charity Scams.
Floridians can report charity scams to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by calling 866-9NO-SCAM or visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.