AG Bonta Warns Californians to Beware of Scams During the Giving Season

Press release from the Office of Attorney General Rob Bonta:

Today in Los Angeles, California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined the Downtown Women’s Center to share tips and resources on how to donate safely and avoid scams while giving this holiday season. Attorney General Bonta has primary regulatory oversight of charities and the professional fundraisers who solicit on their behalf in California. The Attorney General may investigate and bring legal action against charities that misuse charitable assets or engage in fraudulent fundraising practices. In providing today’s tips, Attorney General Bonta encourages donors to take the necessary steps to ensure that their donations get into the correct hands.

“Every holiday season, the generosity of Californians is on full display. Up and down our state, they donate their time and hard-earned money to charitable organizations doing incredibly important work. The Downtown Women’s Center is one of those organizations, and I want to thank them for partnering with us as we share tips to avoid charity scams,” said Attorney General Bonta. “At a time when California is facing a housing shortage and affordability crisis of epic proportions, we recognize and appreciate the commitment of the Downtown Women’s Center in serving women experiencing homelessness. As a reminder, if you believe that a charity or fundraiser is engaged in misconduct, please report it immediately at oag.ca.gov/charities/complaints.”

“As the CEO of the Downtown Women’s Center, I can’t overstate the significance of Giving Tuesday’s impact on our annual fundraising efforts. As the only organization in Los Angeles focused exclusively on serving and empowering women and gender-diverse individuals experiencing homelessness, Giving Tuesday strengthens our ability to provide vital support and programming during the holidays and throughout the year,” said Downtown Women’s Center CEO Amy Turk. “Alongside California Attorney General Rob Bonta, we urge people to ensure their generous donations of time, resources, and funding are directed to reputable organizations making a difference in the lives of the communities they serve.”

Tips on How to Donate Safely and Avoid Charity Fraud

• Check the Registration Status: Charities and professional fundraisers soliciting donations in California are required to register with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts. They are also required to file annual financial reports. Before you donate, make sure to confirm that the charity is registered and up to date with its financial reporting. The Registry of Charitable Trust’s Registry search tool allows you to search the Registry’s database and verify whether a charitable organization or fundraiser has complied with the Attorney General’s registration and reporting requirements.
• Give to Organizations You Trust: Always do your research before making a donation. Review the charity’s annual financial reports to find out how much of your donation will actually be spent on the charitable cause, as well as how much, or if any, will go to overhead and employee compensation. Research charities in your community and support those that make a positive impact.
• Don’t Be Pressured by Telemarketers: If you receive a call from a telemarketer, do not fall for pressure tactics or threats. Remember, you have the right to decline a donation request and can hang up. If you are interested in donating to a particular organization, you can visit their website or contact them directly to get more information.
• Be Cautious of “Look-Alike” and Fake Websites and Emails: Be on the lookout for websites and emails that use slightly different web addresses (URLs) or email addresses in order to pass off as a legitimate charity. Scammers sometimes purchase these types of URLs or create fake email accounts in order to trick potential donors into donating to a look-alike website or steal your information. Be careful of fake websites by closely looking at the web address, and be cautious of web addresses that end in a series of numbers. If a charity’s website or email is asking for your detailed personal information — such as your Social Security Number, date of birth, or your bank account number — it may likely be a scam.
• Watch Out for Similar-Sounding Names and Other Deceptive Tactics: Some organizations use names that closely resemble those of well-established charitable organizations in order to mislead donors. Additionally, if you receive an email from an organization to which you have never donated, take extra precautions before clicking on any links. Be skeptical if someone thanks you for a pledge or donation that you never made, as scammers use this trick to deceive you into paying them. If you are unsure whether or not you made a donation, make sure to check your records.
• Be Wary of Peer-to-Peer Social Network Fundraising: Do not assume charitable fundraising that you see online or on social media are legitimate, even if the charitable campaign is shared by someone that you trust. If you plan to donate through a social network solicitation, do your research and find out whether your donation is going directly to a charity or to the person who created the campaign, whether the person who created the campaign will keep a portion of your donation, or if you will be charged a fee for donating.
• Protect Your Identity: Never give your Social Security number, credit card information, or other personal identifiable information in response to a charitable solicitation. Some organizations may sell or rent their donor lists to other organizations, including organizations that are not charities. Before making a donation, review the charity’s privacy policy to find out if your information will be shared with outside companies.
• Be Careful When Making Electronic Donations: Electronic donations — such as donations made via text, QR Codes, and portable credit card readers have become common practice due to their ability to provide a quick and easy way to donate on the spot. While convenient, remember that anyone can create a QR code, send a text, or buy a portable card reader. Always confirm that the solicitation was submitted by a charity, or that the person facilitating the transaction is authorized to receive donations on behalf of a charity. Always check your receipt and your credit card/online payment method] statement to ensure that the transaction charged to your account is accurate.

For more information on how to protect yourself against charity fraud, visit our donation tips webpage at https://oag.ca.gov/donations.