Many people feel deep compassion and a desire to help others, like supporting disaster relief efforts after Hurricane Melissa, hunger relief organizations strained by recent SNAP benefit delays in the U.S., or other charitable organizations that support their communities year-round.
Donations are the lifeblood for many nonprofits, providing the funds for essential services like meals, education, healthcare, and shelter, as well as overhead and operational costs like staff, rent, and utilities. The holidays see a significant increase in charitable giving, with movements like Giving Tuesday driving a surge in online donations.
But while generosity increases, so does the opportunity for fraud. Cybercriminals and scammers take advantage of generosity by setting up fake charities, mimicking legitimate organizations with lookalike domain names, or sending convincing email or text messages designed to trick people into giving money or personal information. As the “season of giving” approaches, it’s more important than ever to practice safe giving habits and verify where your donations are going, so your support truly reaches those who need it most.
To protect yourself and ensure your contributions go where you think they’re going and have real impact, we recommend following these best practices when donating online:
Check Your Sources
Avoid clicking on links sent via unsolicited emails, text messages, social media messages, or ads. Instead, navigate directly to the charity’s official website and donate directly there. Thanks to years of experience and now the power of AI, cybercriminals are better at phishing attacks than they ever have been – their messages are convincing, their websites look professional, and their tactics are increasingly difficult to detect. Check the sender’s email address, hover over links before you click anything to see where they actually go, and be wary of messages that sound too urgent or emotional.
Independently Verify All Charities
Verify the legitimacy of the organization before donating. Consider using free resources like Guidestar, Charity Commission, or Charity Monitoring Worldwide, or other directory that provides information about nonprofits to help donors make informed decisions. This quick step ensures your money supports reputable causes and not fraudulent schemes.
Avoid Sharing Personal Information Unnecessarily
Legitimate charities will never ask for sensitive details like your account passwords or tax ID. Be cautious of forms that request more information than necessary, as this could be a phishing attempt to steal your identity or financial data.
Donate Securely
Only donate to a website that uses “HTTPS” rather than “HTTP” in its URL, as that means the site has security protections in place.
Use a credit card instead of a debit card for online donations. Credit cards typically offer better fraud protection and provide a buffer by not linking directly to your bank account. If your information is compromised, this extra layer can limit the financial impact.
Make Your Giving Impactful and Safe
Your generosity has the power to change lives, but it’s crucial to protect yourself from cyber threats. By taking these precautions, you can support the communities you care about without falling victim to scams or fraud.
