The Kentucky Attorney General’s Office has issued a
charitable giving guide to help folks avoid falling victim to charity scams.
Don’t respond to mass charity solicitations, suspicious charity
requests that scammers typically use on social media ads, by phone or through
email.
Identify a charity aligned with your values before making a
donation.
Donors who are not familiar with a charitable organization
should verify their 501(c) (3) status and what percentage of their income goes
to the charity’s purpose.
Be skeptical of social media ads and charities with similar
sounding names or concepts.
Don’t provide detailed personal information such as your
Social Security Number or bank account information, which is typically asked
for by bogus websites looking to steal your identity.
To report a fraudulent charitable solicitation or a scam,
contact the Attorney General’s Office at 888-432-9257 or file a complaint
online.