If the holiday season inspires you to give back to causes you care about, it’s important to do so safely. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the busiest times of year for charity scams, because criminals know people are feeling generous. Many fraudulent charities look convincing at first glance. They may have professional-looking websites, social media pages, or communications that mimic wellknown organizations. Their goal is simple: gain your trust and convince you to send money before you have a chance to verify their legitimacy.

With a few simple precautions, you can help ensure your donations reach those who truly need them.

Why do charity scams increase this time of year?

Scammers take advantage of the goodwill many people feel during the holiday season by creating urgent situations designed to trigger an immediate response. They may claim families need help right away, promote fake disaster-relief efforts, or use heartwarming stories to encourage donations.

These criminals hope you’ll act before verifying where your money is going. They often rely on emotion and urgency rather than facts and transparency.

What are some red flags?

If someone pressures you to donate immediately, consider it a warning sign. Legitimate charities understand that donors want to make informed decisions and will give you time to research their organization. A trustworthy charity should be willing to answer questions about its mission, programs, and how donations are used.

Here are other red flags to watch for: Requests for payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency Unsolicited calls, texts, emails, or social media messages asking for money Requests for personal information in order to donate, such as Social Security number, banking passwords or personal identification numbers, or verification codes Organizations that provide little information about their mission, leadership, or community impact Donation links that redirect you away from an organization’s official website When in doubt, always pause and verify before giving. Taking a few extra minutes to research an organization could help protect both your money and your personal information.

What are safe ways to donate?

Protect yourself and your contribution by following a few best practices: Donate directly through a charity’s official website rather than through links sent by email, text, or social media Use secure payment methods, such as a debit or credit card, that offer fraud protection Verify website security before entering payment information. Look for “https” in the website address and double-check that you’re on the charity’s official website Research the organization before donating to understand its mission and how funds are used Keep records of your contributions, including receipts and confirmation emails Before donating, consider reviewing information available through charity watchdog organizations like Charity Navigator, CharityWatch, and the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance that evaluate nonprofits and provide transparency ratings. Looking for details about the charity’s leadership, financial practices, and community impact can help you make a more informed decision and give with confidence.

Taking the time to verify who you’re sending money to helps ensure your generosity supports the cause you intended.

What should you do if you suspect you’ve been scammed?

If you believe you’ve donated to a fraudulent organization or shared payment information with a fake charity, act quickly: Contact the authorities as well as your financial institution if you think your account information has been compromised Monitor your accounts closely for unauthorized transactions Change passwords for any accounts that may be affected Freeze your credit for free with each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion The sooner you act, the better your chances of limiting potential financial loss and preventing further misuse of your personal information.

Give with Peace of Mind

The holidays are about helping others and strengthening our communities. By staying alert, researching organizations before donating, and using secure payment methods, you can support the causes you care about with confidence.

A little caution can go a long way. When you take the time to verify a charity’s legitimacy, you help ensure your gift reaches the people and communities it was intended to help.

Generosity should make a difference, not make you a victim.

Ascend is federally insured by NCUA. Raven Garner is the Ascend Federal Credit Union AVP of Fraud and Security