Charity Phone Scams Are Taking Advantage Of Your Generosity
Charity phone scams are on the rise, and they’re taking advantage of your generosity. Here’s how to protect yourself from these scams. The scam works like this: you get a call from someone who says they’re from a charity or a fundraising organization. They tell you that they’re raising money for a good cause, and they ask if you’d be willing to donate.
Of course, they’re not raising money for a good cause. They’re just trying to scam you out of your money. The scammers often use fake names and fake charity organizations, so it’s hard to tell if they’re legitimate or not.
If you think you’ve been scammed, report it to the FTC. And spread the word – warn your friends and family about these charity phone scams.
How To Protect Yourself From Fake Charity Schemes?
When it comes to charity, people are always willing to give. Unfortunately, this also makes it easy for scammers to take advantage of kind-hearted people. Fake charity schemes are on the rise, so it’s important to be aware of the warning signs and know how to protect yourself.
One of the most common ways scammers operate is by collecting money or donations from unsuspecting people, under the guise of a charity. They may promise to use the money to help a good cause, but in reality, they will keep it for themselves. Others may set up fake websites or social media accounts to solicit donations, which they will also keep for themselves.
How can you protect yourself from these types of scams? Here are a few tips:
-Be skeptical of any requests for donations, especially if they are made online.
-Do your research before donating to a charity. Make sure the charity is registered with the relevant authorities, and check to see if it has a good reputation.
-If possible, ask for proof of where the money is going. A reputable charity should be happy to provide this information.
-Never give out your personal information, such as your bank account details or credit card number, to someone you don’t know. Better not to pick up a phone with an unknown number. If you pick up, but you don't know the one who speaks to you, better check it out with a reverse phone lookup service. The reverse phone lookup site WhoseNumber is helpful for finding out who called you.
By being aware of the warning signs and taking these precautions, you can protect yourself from fake charity schemes.
Avoid Charities Who Recently Settled Suits With The FTC
When you donate to a charity, you trust that your money is going to help those in need. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In recent years, several charities have been caught misusing funds or engaging in other unethical practices. If you're concerned about where your money is going, you may want to avoid charities that have recently settled suits with the FTC.
One such charity is the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. In March 2018, they agreed to pay $2 million to settle allegations that they had used deceptive practices to raise money. The FTC claimed that the charity had falsely claimed that donations would help support specific programs and that they had failed to disclose that a large portion of donations would go to fundraising costs.
Another charity that has come under fire in recent years is the American Cancer Society. In 2017, they agreed to pay $19.8 million to settle allegations that they had misled donors about the use of their donations. The ACS had claimed that donations would be used to fund specific cancer research projects when in reality only a small portion of donations went to this purpose.
If you're looking for a charity to support, it's important to do your research first. Be sure to read up on any potential organizations, and make sure that they are reputable and have a good track record. You should also be wary of any charities that have recently settled suits with the FTC.
Report Veteran Charity Scams To The Federal Trade Commission
Veterans are some of the most honorable and esteemed citizens in the United States. They have put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and keep us safe. It is despicable then, that some criminals take advantage of their good name and reputation to scam innocent people out of their hard-earned money. If you are a veteran or know someone who is, be on the lookout for charity scams. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is urging veterans and their families to report any suspicious activity to them immediately.
Many scams specifically target veterans and their families. Some common ones include:
-Pretending to be a veteran charity to solicit money
-Selling fake or counterfeit goods, such as medals or uniforms, online
-Asking for money to help with vet medical bills, housing, or other expenses, when no such help is needed
If you or someone you know has been a victim of one of these scams, do not hesitate to report it to the FTC. You can file a complaint online or call 1-877-FTC-HELP.
It is important to remember that not all charities are scams, and not all veterans need help. Do your research before giving it to any organization, and always ask for proof of their legitimacy.
The FTC has put together a few tips to help you avoid being scammed:
-Be suspicious of charities that contact you unsolicited
-Do not give out personal information, such as your social security number or banking information, to unknown organizations
-Check the Better Business Bureau’s charity ratings to ensure a charity is reputable
-Never send money to someone you don’t know
Report any suspicious activity to the FTC immediately. Together, we can help protect our veterans from scam artists and criminals who try to take advantage of their good name and reputation.
