WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Trade Commission is urging people to take extra care with charitable giving as Giving Tuesday draws near, emphasizing that scammers often try to capitalize on the season’s surge in donations. The agency notes that the final weeks of the year bring a wave of calls, texts, emails, and social media posts asking for contributions, and not all of them come from real organizations.
According to reports, the FTC recommends confirming a charity’s exact name before giving, since fraudulent groups often select names that closely resemble established nonprofits. Donors are encouraged to use resources such as the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and CharityWatch to review how organizations operate, how they manage funds, and whether they are known to be reputable. State charity regulators can also verify whether an organization is properly registered, a requirement in most states. Reports say donors should also make sure their money reaches the programs they intend to support. The FTC advises contacting charities directly to ask how donations are allocated. Many groups publish that information on their websites, making it easier for people to understand how their contributions are used.
The agency also stresses the importance of choosing safe payment methods. Credit cards and checks remain the most reliable options. Any request for cryptocurrency, a payment app, a gift card, or a wire transfer is a strong sign that the appeal is not legitimate. Officials add that links shared through email or social media should be reviewed carefully. Crowdfunding platforms send money directly to individual organizers, who may not have any verified connection to the cause.
Suspicious charity activity can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
