People are being warned to be careful with holiday fraud.
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The Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Financial Institutions (DFI) is urging Ohioans to be cautious of fake charities, a spokesperson said.
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Holiday fraud comes in different forms. This includes unsolicited calls, text messages, fake advertisements and emails.
“It is unfortunate that during a season designed for goodwill and generosity, there are those who want to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals,” said DFI Chief Inspector Kevin Allard. “We would like to remind everyone to conduct due diligence before making a financial donation to ensure their contributions support legitimate causes and do not line the pockets of criminals.”
DFI has this advice on how to stay safe:
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Avoid pressure Legitimate charities accept donations at any time and in any amount. Don’t rush to give.
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Protect personal information- Treat personal information like cash; don’t give it freely.
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Be careful with payment methods- Avoid making donations via cash, gift cards, money transfers, and services like Venmo or cryptocurrency. By making donations through credit cards, Ohioans can stay better protected from financial worries.
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Verify text donations- Before donating via text message, be sure to confirm the charity’s number on the website to ensure it is a valid number.
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Crowdfunding Please note- Be careful when donating to people on crowdfunding sites. If you do, make sure it’s someone you know and trust.
If you come across a suspicious charity, visit this website.
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