The holidays bring out the best in people—and unfortunately, the worst in scammers. This time of year, fraudsters count on your generosity, your big heart, and your packed calendar to sneak past your defenses. Especially if your company is known for giving back, your name could get dragged into something shady without even realizing it.
Let’s fix that.
Here’s how to make sure your holiday giving stays generous, secure, and 100% above board.
How to Vet a Fundraiser Before Donating
Legit fundraisers can answer these questions clearly:
- Who’s organizing this, and how are they connected to the recipient?
- How will the money be used, and on what timeline?
- Who controls the funds?
- Do people close to the recipient support the campaign publicly?
If any of that’s unclear—or met with vague answers—pause. It doesn’t mean it’s fake, but it does mean you need more information.
Red Flags That Should Make You Stop and Think
- Overly dramatic or emotionally manipulative stories
- No updates after funds are raised
- Stories copied from another campaign
- Fundraisers that ask for crypto, gift cards, or wire transfers
- Sites without HTTPS (no little lock icon in the browser)
- Pressure to donate right now
Remember: If something feels off, it probably is.
Donating to Charities? Do This First
Not all issues come from crowdfunds. Even big-name charities need a second look:
- Check for transparency: financials, annual reports, and project details
- Look for third-party reviews and charity watchdog ratings
- Google the charity’s name + "scam" or "complaint" to check for red flags
And if your team is donating under your company’s name or through a matching program, double-check that the organization is what it says it is.
Why This Matters for High-Risk Businesses
For companies in regulated spaces like healthcare, finance, or law enforcement, getting tied to a fraudulent charity isn’t just embarrassing—it’s risky. It can:
- Damage your brand reputation
- Open the door to phishing and impersonation tactics
- Undermine your team’s cybersecurity instincts
The same tricks scammers use in fake fundraisers—urgency, spoofed websites, emotional manipulation—are also used in business fraud. So every scam you teach your team to spot is a win for your entire risk profile.
Smart Steps to Keep Your Giving Safe
- Create a Company Giving Policy: Set approval rules and official giving channels
- Train Your Team: Include fake fundraisers in security awareness training
- Stick to Trusted Sites: Always go directly to known charity websites
- Monitor Your Donations: Check follow-up reports to ensure funds were used as promised
Give Generously, Give Safely
The season is too precious to spend cleaning up someone else’s scam. With a few checks and a little awareness, you can give back without giving in.
Want help building smart security awareness around fundraising scams and other threats?
Book your free discovery call today. Because generosity should build trust—not break it.
