Each year, fraudsters take millions of dollars from people trying to donate money for causes like the Spokane wildfires, and it might happen over social media,
Each year, fraudsters take millions of dollars from people trying to donate money for causes like the Spokane wildfires, and it might happen over social media, a text scam, or a crowdfunding website.
“Over the past two years, over 4 million dollars of fraudulent charity and fundraising events have been reported to the local Better Business Bureau (BBB),” Cameron Nakashima of the BBB said.
Nationally, each year, according to the FBI, that number is about $90 million.
"So, either way you cut it, this is millions of dollars that people are intending to go to people who really need it and are being tricked,” Nakashima said. "Just because a platform that you're donating on is legitimate, doesn't necessarily mean that the fundraiser itself is legitimate."
Nakashima said fraudsters might also even get more creative than just setting up a fake GoFundMe.
"They might even set up a fake website,” he said. “They're mimicking a trusted charity that you know and trust already to get that fake credibility built in."
And said before you donate, it is a good idea to do some research.
"The really big question to ask there is 'is this individual or business really connected with the person, the cause, or the location that they say this money is going to,'” Nakashima said. “And you might see some misalignment and that's where those red flags are going to surface."
Nakashima said if you do come across a fraudulent charity, report it on the site, to the government, and to the BBB scam tracker.
