About the Firm | Practice Areas | Motivational Speaker | In the News | Upcoming Events | Contact Us

Legal News

In the wake of a natural disaster or domestic terror attack, the public is urged to donate to help aid those affected. While reputable charities advertise collections for disaster relief, malicious organizations simultaneously appear in an attempt to fool the unsuspecting. Following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in 2017, the National Center for Disaster Fraud received more than 400 complaints of suspected fraud.

During the holidays, many have opted towards asking for charitable donations to their favorite cause in lieu of a traditional gift exchange. While the intention to give is in the right place, you will want to take extra precaution when choosing an organization to gift to this season. Charity fraud is a federal offense that leads to immeasurable financial loss each year.

Unfortunately, charity scammers are not confined to the holidays so, it is important to stay vigilant year-round. Cybercriminals have gotten very good at mimicking reputable websites, which can mislead consumers into thinking they are on a charity’s official website. Some warning signs for fraudulent organizations include:

• The organization doesn’t sound familiar or mimics a well-known organization;
• Pushy representatives use high-pressure sale tactics to acquire donations;
• You are not given a receipt for your contribution; or
• They ask for cash payments and gift cards or ask you to send money overseas.

To better protect yourself from charity fraud this holiday season, it is important that you do your research. Reputable organizations should be easy to find and have a well-maintained online presence. If you are still uncertain, you can search the Tax Exempt Organization database provided by the IRS to ensure that your donation isn’t falling into the wrong hands. If you or someone you know believe they may have fallen victim to charity fraud, you can file a scammer complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by calling 877-382-4357 or visiting www.ftc.gov/complaint.

If you have questions about a large charitable contribution you plan on making, including the tax implications or benefits of doing so, contact the Law Offices of Lauren P. Raysor by visiting www.LaurenPRaysor.com or calling 914-733-8080.

Connect With Lauren Raysor