Phony charities attempt to dupe consumers

10
Dec

Phony charities attempt to dupe consumers

In this season of giving, many legitimate organizations take advantage of consumers’ benevolent moods to beseech funds for various charitable causes. However, the bombardment of solicitations and the joy of the holiday season may cause otherwise cautious consumers to let their guard down. Unfortunately, many scammers are finding ways to gather personal information and money by masquerading as charitable organizations, and can commit any number of types of identity theft in the name of a trusting benefactor.

To thwart these kinds of scams, it is most important to simply be aware that they are out there. While you can generally trust the Salvation Army bell-ringer outside your grocery to safely deliver the change you drop in his locked red bucket to those in need, a little skepticism in this day and age goes a long way. When you are approached on the street for monetary donations, it pays to ask a few questions. A legitimate volunteer will be happy to give you a little more information about his or her organization and how your money will be spent. With a little prodding, a fake will quickly retreat.

It is also always important to give with cash. If you get swindled, this way you’re only out the few dollars you might have given up, but at least they don’t have your checking or credit card account information. Writing a check, even to a legitimate volunteer, puts your name, address, account and routing information into the hands of many different individuals before it gets deposited into the bank. Better to pay with cash (ask for a receipt if it’s for a large sum), than to take that chance.

In addition to in-person interactions with charity volunteers, the holiday season often means that many charities will initiate cold calls to your home. This method also becomes a quick and easy way for scammers to gather your personal or account information, without a trace. If you receive an unsolicited request for a donation via phone, verify the caller’s legitimacy before giving out any information – including your credit card number. Ask the caller for an official website or 1-800 number, and donate (if you so choose) only after you’ve done your research.

It’s unfortunate that identity thieves take advantage of holiday benevolence, but a little awareness can help keep you from becoming a victim. Also, remember that ID Watchdog is available to watch for any unauthorized use of your personal information – if a scammer of any sort manages to extract your sensitive details and tries to use them fraudulently, we’ll detect it and stop it, and help you fix any damage he or she may have caused. This holiday season, protect yourself with the ultimate gift – peace of mind with ID Watchdog Plus.

Sys Guard