Guarding your generosity from charity scams
With three in four Australians give yearly to a charity of choice, it is no surprise that this generosity can easily be taken advantage of.
With three in four Australians give yearly to a charity of choice, it is no surprise that this generosity can easily be taken advantage of.
If you are looking to use your cash for good then this article is for you!
From donating to hungry children to providing relief for bushfire victims – scammers are making the most of every quick money opportunity.
According to Scamwatch, more than a quarter of a million dollars was lost to charity scams last year. Even more shocking is that this figure is based on only 810 reports, with many crimes going unreported.
The ACCC said there have been some “horrific” cases of charity scammers taking advantage of high-profile tragedies, such as the Black Saturday bushfires and the 2017 Bourke Street tragedy.
In December, the Australian Government issued a warning about charity scams in an aim to reduce what is often a peak scam period.
Crime Stoppers Victoria Chief Executive Stella Smith said charity scammers were “Absolutely appalling”.
“Charity scammers prey on the generosity of those looking to do their part,” she said.
“It’s important you always verify the authenticity of a charity and ensure they are genuine before providing any form of payment information.”
In partnership with BankVic, we want to help you make sure your money is going to make the difference you want it to.
- Often donating through well-established charities will have verified fundraising campaigns to help your details stay protected.
- You can verify the legitimacy of a charity by checking the Charity Register of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. It is also important to check that the charity you’re donating to aligns with your values.
- ALWAYS be wary of unsolicited emails, phone calls or social media links which may lead to counterfeit or scam websites.
- Start an account/ profile with your charity of choice. If you ever receive an unsolicited phone call they should be able to access your history and member number. If they are not able to provide details it is a hint, they might not be who they say they are.
- Use a search engine such as Google or the charity register to find the official website of the charity you want to support (the url can sometimes give you an indication something is not right).
- Be extra careful when sharing financial details online and never share credit card and bank account information through social media or unsecured websites.
- If a charity contacts you by phone, let them know you’ll call them back using their official number and will ask for them by name.
- Always get a receipt. It will give you ABN and other important business information. You will need this at tax time too!
If you think you have charity scam information
You can always report a scam to Scamwatch.
