’Tis the season to shop for holiday gifts and donate to worthy causes for a potential tax deduction — and to help those in need — before year’s end.
But when doling out dollars to charity, be careful. Crooks will take advantage of your generosity and steal your cash.
“People are in a generous spirit,” says Amy Nofziger, who oversees the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline (877-908-3360). “Most of us are out hustling and bustling and planning parties and buying gifts, and the criminals make you feel guilty for your ability to celebrate [when many others can’t]. They’ll prey on that feeling” to get you to donate to their sham charities.
Nofziger and others familiar with holiday charity scams have tips to help ensure that your gift will benefit a good cause — not a con artist. To learn about the tips, from AARP, CLICK HERE.
