Donor Beware: AARP West Virginia Urges Caution During Giving Season

As the holidays approach—and with them the season of charitable giving—AARP West Virginia is urging residents to be on guard against shady charities and criminals who exploit people’s generosity.

The Federal Trade Commission urges consumers to donate to trusted, well-known organizations and to check their phone numbers and websites to verify their legitimacy. West Virginians reported 14,287 cases of fraud to the FTC in 2021.

Consumers can research organizations at erls.wvsos.gov. AARP’s Fraud Watch Network recommends charitywatch.org or charitynavigator.org to make sure a group is legitimate.

Report a fraudulent charity to the West Virginia Secretary of State office’s charities division at 304-558-6000 or 866-767-8683.

Stay up to date on how to avoid  scams by visiting aarp.org/fraud.