During the holidays there are several organizations requesting donations for various causes – many of them legitimate. However, consumers should take precautions and adhere to certain guidelines to stay safe and avoid being scammed.
Consumers should be cautious of individuals representing themselves as victims or officials asking for donations via email, in person, or social networking sites.
Also, never respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming emails, including clicking links contained within those messages, because they may contain computer viruses.
Additionally, beware of organizations with copycat names similar to, but not exactly the same as, those of reputable charities.
