FBI 8 Tips to Avoid Internet Charity Fraud
The Federal Bureau of Investigation Warns Do Not Fall for Scams
Jul 9, 2008
The Internet is a wonderful tool that is relied on by millions of people daily for business, communication and leisure around the world. Hucksters and scam artists are well aware of the power of the Internet and have found many creative methods to part people from their hard earned money electronically. Plishing scams are schemes that motivate people to provide crooks with their personal account information, which is then used by crooks to rape the account of funds. Charity fraud is another method of parting people from their money electronically. There are several scams that solicit donations for alleged victims of floods, severe storms, wildfires, tornadoes and earthquakes. The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) has issued a warning to avoid charity fraud.
Charity fraud takes advantage of kind hearted people who want to do something to help people affected by the natural disasters around the world. Natural disasters have filled the news in recent months. There have been floods in the Midwest, wildfires in California, earthquakes, tornadoes and severe storms. These natural disasters have created victims of average people. The victims suffersfrom heath problems, emotional distress and financial need.
Tragic incidents that have made victims of everyday people pull at people's heartstrings. Images of people who have lost their homes and possessions to natural disasters cause others to want to help. The desire to help other people is a good instinct. Unfortunately, criminals use sympathy for their own personal gain. Criminals take advantage of good will by illegally soliciting contributions. Criminals claiming to represent legitimate charitable organizations solicit money to help people in need. This money does not make it to the disaster victims though. Take care that charitable contributions do not line the pocket of sociopaths and liars.
The FBI has issued a statement, which is posted on the official FBI website. In the statement, Special Agent Richard Kolko from Washington, D.C. In his statement, Kolko said "We have seen this time and time again - these scam artists to steal your identity and your money as you try and make donations to well deserving charities. If you want your money to go to a good cause, exercise caution to ensure it its to those in need."
Following are eight tips from the Federal Bureau of Investigation to avoid charity fraud and being taken in by scam artists.
- Do not respond to spam email. It is best not to open spam at all. The scam artists are getting increasingly clever at enticing people to open their email so the Internet users needs to be increasingly wary of email from people they do not know.
- Be skeptical. Scam artists represent themselves as officials when they solicit donations via email.
- Do not click on links in an unsolicited email. It is tempting, but do not click on the link. It tells the scam artist that they have a live email address and they will send even more emails.
- Do not open files which claim to have pictures in attachments. The files may contain viruses which harm the computer. Only open attachments from known people..
- Make donations directly to known organizations rather than relying on a third party to make the donation in your behalf.
- Validate the legitimacy of the charitable organization. Do a Google search to research the organization and to access the charity website directly. Do not follow an alleged link to the website send via email.
- Verify that the charity is legitimate by investigating the organization. Research the organization, using Internet search engines. Attempt to find out if the organization is legitimate. Be aware that even press releases can be phony.
- Do not provide any personal or financial information to people who solicit contributions. The information you provide can be used to steal your identity, known as identity theft.
Is is a good instinct to help other people in need. Ensure that hard earned money is going to the people in need and not into the pockets of a scam artist.
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