Hello everyone,

I wanted to share some valuable information from the FBI’s official website that I think is particularly relevant in today’s climate of online charity scams.

The FBI recently released a podcast episode titled “Inside the FBI: Charity Scams.” This episode delves into how charity fraud scams operate, the tactics scammers use to exploit people’s generosity, and the steps we can take to protect ourselves from being conned.

Key Points from the Podcast:

• Scammers often use catastrophic events to exploit people’s willingness to help.
• They employ various methods like email, social media, and cold calling to solicit donations.
• Some scams are linked to funding terrorist activities.
• The FBI warns against donations via cash, gift cards, or wire transfers as these are likely scams.

Tips for Safe Donations:

• Donate only to established and trusted charities.
• Be cautious of organizations with names similar to reputable groups.
• Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown sources.
• Verify any requests for donations independently.
• Report suspected charity frauds to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

You can listen to this insightful podcast on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. Also, visit fbi.gov/charityfraud for more information on this topic.

Let’s discuss this further. Have any of you encountered such scams? How do you ensure the legitimacy of a charity before donating?

Looking forward to your thoughts and experiences.