VIDEO: Attorney General Moody Issues Tips to Avoid Holiday Season Charity Scams on Giving Tuesday

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Release Date
Nov 28, 2023
Contact
Kylie Mason
Phone
(850) 245-0150

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is issuing tips to avoid charity scams on Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday is a popular day for making contributions to charitable organizations. Reports show that Americans donated more than $3 billion during Giving Tuesday last year. The year-end holiday season is a popular time for generous Floridians to donate. Attorney General Moody is providing Floridians with tips to help ensure the contributions go toward intended causes.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “On Giving Tuesday, it is crucial for generous Floridians to be aware of the possibility of charity scams before donating. We want to ensure that charitable donations go to legitimate organizations that genuinely support their causes, rather than lining the pockets of fraudsters.”

Attorney General Moody offers the following tips to help stay protected from charity scams:

  • Research the Charity: Before donating, research the charity online and make sure it is accredited with the Better Business Bureau or check for its rating on CharityNavigator.org;
  • Beware of Similar Names: Scammers may use names that sound similar to well-known charities;
  • Be Cautious with Unsolicited Requests: Do not automatically trust phone calls, emails or text messages from unknown or unverified sources requesting donations;
  • Don’t Share Personal or Financial Information: Never provide personal or financial information to an unexpected contact; and
  • Secure Online Donations: When donating online, ensure the website is secure and the URL begins with ‘https://.’ Look for the padlock symbol in the web address bar.

Charity scams can happen at any time, but often arise following a disaster or an international tragedy. Last month, barbaric Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, creating a large humanitarian crisis. Floridians wishing to give toward relief efforts should be cautious of scammers. 

For more tips related to charity scams, view Attorney General Moody’s Scams at a Glance: Charity Scams resource by clicking here.

Floridians can report charity scams to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM or visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.

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