Every holiday season, generosity runs high and so do scams.
Cyber crooks know this is when emotions kick in and wallets open. They’ll spin up fake charities, copy real fundraisers, and tug at your heartstrings faster than you can say “donate now.”
A few years back, a telefunding ring made 1.3 billion deceptive donation calls and pocketed over $100 million before getting shut down. And that’s just one case. Researchers at Cornell found hundreds of fake donation accounts on social media. Each one dressed up to look like the real deal.
So before you or your team give this season, especially in your company’s name, slow down and check twice. One wrong click could cost you money, your reputation, or both.
How to Vet a Fundraiser Before You Give
Legit fundraisers have answers ready to these questions:
- Who’s running it? What’s their real connection to the cause or recipient?
- Where’s the money going? Is there a timeline and a clear path for funds to reach the right hands?
- Who controls the withdrawals?
- Do friends or family of the recipient publicly vouch for it?
If any of that’s vague, and you get silence or spin instead of answers, that’s your cue to walk away.
Red Flags That Scream “Scam”
If you spot any of these, pump the brakes:
- Emotional stories that seem a little too perfect
- Fundraisers with missing or false details
- Donors asking for gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers
- Pushy messages like “Donate now before it’s too late!”
- Claims you’ve already pledged when you haven’t
When in doubt, report it and move on. No legit charity will guilt-trip you for asking questions.
Even Real Charities Need a Checkup
Reputable charities are transparent. They’ll show:
- Clear descriptions of what they do and how they spend money
- Annual reports and public financials
- Honest breakdowns of programs vs. overhead
If a quick Google search brings up “complaints” or “scam” next to their name, take that seriously.
Why This Matters for Your Business
Your company’s donations say something about who you are. If your name ends up tied to a shady fundraiser — even by mistake — it’s not just embarrassing. It can erode trust with your customers, partners, and community.
And here’s the kicker: the same tricks scammers use in charity fraud — urgency, impersonation, fake websites — are also used in phishing and invoice scams. Teaching your team to question dodgy fundraisers trains them to spot other cyber traps too.
How to Protect Your Business (and Your Goodwill)
- Write a Donation Policy – Spell out how your business approves and verifies causes before giving.
- Educate Your Team – Remind them not to donate through links in random emails or social posts.
- Stick to Official Channels – Go directly to the charity’s website. Never through a link someone sends.
- Be Transparent – If you’re public about giving, double-check the organization first.
- Follow Up – After donating, look for proof that the funds were used as promised.
Keep the Season Generous, Not Risky
The holidays should be about helping, not regretting.
A few smart checks keep your money, and your reputation, out of the wrong hands.
Want to make sure your team can spot scams before they click?
Let’s set up a free discovery call.
Because the best gift you can give your business (and your community) is trust that can’t be stolen.
