Avoid these three popular holiday scams this year
As you begin to get into the holiday spirit and make plans to see loved ones, make sure to look out for these three popular holiday scams.
Charity Scams
Unfortunately, many scammers will take advantage of the kindness and generosity that flourishes this time of year by asking you to make a donation to a charity that does not actually exist. It’s important to verify the authenticity of any charity you’d like to donate to by checking it out on www.CharityNavigator.org. It’s also advisable to contact a charity on your own instead of following a website link from an email or social media post.
If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a represenative from a charity, consumer.ftc.com recommends asking questions about the charity’s exact name, website, mailing address and how the donation will be spent. Some scammers use names that sound like large, well-known charities to confuse people. Asking questions and writing down information will help you confirm information before you donate.
The FTC requires charities to do these six things when calling potential donors:
•They can only call between 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
• They have to disclose their name and purpose. They must say the name of the charity and clearly state the reason they’re calling is to seek a donation.
• They can’t deceive you or lie about the fundraiser’s connection to the charity, the mission or purpose of the charity, whether a donation is tax deductible, how much of the donation actually goes to the charity’s programs, and the charity’s affiliation with the government.
• They can’t use a robocall or prerecorded message to reach you unless you are a member of the charity or a prior donor.
• They must provide a way to opt out of future calls.
• The caller ID has to be truthful. The caller ID on your phone has to show the name of the charity, along with a number that you can call to ask to be placed on the charity’s do not call list.
If someone calls you from a charity and refuses to do one or
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