Watch Out for Scams This Holiday Season

The holiday season brings out the joy of giving to loved ones and charities. But AARP West Virginia and state consumer officials urge generous folks to make sure they are giving to legitimate charitable organizations, not criminals.

In West Virginia, more than 2,500 imposter scams were reported to authorities last year, according to data from the Federal Trade Commission.

“We know that these types of crimes are typically underreported,” says Gaylene Miller, AARP West Virginia state director. “Be vigilant and do [your] homework to ensure your charitable contributions are going to a legitimate organization or cause.”

She and state officials urge donors to check the West Virginia Secretary of State’s database of charitable organizations — erls.wvsos.gov/onlinecharitiessearch/search — to make sure the group is legitimate.

A big red flag is a group that uses pressure tactics, says Kimberly Mason, director of investigations for the West Virginia secretary of state.

Mason says bad actors stress urgency to prevent people from doing their research, and they tug on heartstrings with pleas to help those in need. “Just pause, do your research first,” she says.

Here are a few tips from the West Virginia attorney general’s office:

• Don’t give cash. Most legitimate charities accept donations by check or credit card — not cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers.
• Check the name of the charity carefully. Scammers sometimes use names that are similar to legitimate charities.
• Go directly to the charity or organization’s website instead of clicking on a link.

Go to ago.wv.gov to report a scam, or call the AG’s Consumer Protection Division, at 800-368-8808.