The devastation in Turkey and Syria following massive earthquakes is inspiring people to help through donations. However, like other donation scams, scammers are out to take advantage of your generosity.
Scammers are using familiar-sounding names to create fake charities, and are asking for donations in cash, by gift card, or cryptocurrency.
Here’s how to spot and avoid the scams:
- Slow down. You don’t have to give a donation immediately. Research online the name of the charity you are interested in supporting and include words like “review,” “scam,” or “complaint.” See if others have had good or bad experiences with the charity.
- Check what charity watchdog groups are saying. Don’t assume that familiar-sounding names or messages posted on social media are legitimate. Donate to charities you know and trust and with a proven record of dealing with disasters.
- Ask how your money will be spent. If someone calls to ask to donate, they should be able to answer how much of your donation will go to the program you want to help.
- Look at fees and timing. If you are donating through an online platform or social media, check whether your donation will go directly to the charity. If not, find out how long it will take to get there and if there are any fees associated with donating.
If you think you may be the victim of a charity scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.