Better Business Bureau Warns Of Potential Charity Scams During Holiday Season

With the season for holiday shopping upon us, so comes the season for giving charitable donations.

However, Better Business Bureau Middle Tennessee President and CEO Robyn Householder said that scammers tend to take advantage of people’s charitable natures.

“Because you know we’re a very giving people here in Tennessee, and we like to help others,” Householder said. “So what scammers do is they like to take the opportunity to play on your heartstrings when they know it’s a top-of-mind situation.”

Householder said that there has been a significant jump in charitable scams since the pandemic started. She said that one major warning sign is getting unsolicited calls. She said that legitimate charities will not typically reach out directly unless you’ve established a previous relationship with them.

“And what I mean by that if you’ve donated to your local American Red Cross office, they will follow up with you and extend the invitation for you to support them again,” Householder said. “But if it’s an organization that you’ve never contributed to, they’re not going to do that unless they’re not legitimate.”

Householder said that unsolicited charity scams aren’t uncommon. She said that after the March 2020 tornado, they had hundreds come about within hours. If you receive a call from a cause that piques your interest, Householder said to go to that charity’s site and donate directly.