TL;DR: Charity scam activity rises through November and December, when genuine year-end giving and tax-deduction motivated donations peak and people are fielding more solicitations than usual. Search for the charity by name plus 'scam' or check it on an independent charity evaluator before donating, and keep a receipt for any legitimate year-end gift.
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Charity scam activity rises through November and December, when genuine year-end giving and tax-deduction motivated donations peak and people are fielding more solicitations than usual.
How the Scam Plays Out
Fraudulent charities use names deliberately similar to well-known organizations and lean on emotional appeals and donation deadlines to rush people into giving before they've verified the organization is real.
How to Protect Yourself
Search for the charity by name plus 'scam' or check it on an independent charity evaluator before donating, and keep a receipt for any legitimate year-end gift.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading Flu and Cold Season Fake Pharmacy Scams.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see Fall Flu Vaccine Appointment Scams.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does this typically happen?
Charity scam activity rises through November and December, when genuine year-end giving and tax-deduction motivated donations peak and people are fielding more solicitations than usual.
What tactics are used?
Fraudulent charities use names deliberately similar to well-known organizations and lean on emotional appeals and donation deadlines to rush people into giving before they've verified the organization is real.
How can I protect myself?
Search for the charity by name plus 'scam' or check it on an independent charity evaluator before donating, and keep a receipt for any legitimate year-end gift.
What should I do if I’ve already been targeted?
Stop all payments immediately, contact your bank or card issuer to see if a transaction can be reversed or flagged, and report the incident to the appropriate consumer protection body.