Thanksgiving starts one of the most giving times of the year. Families, churches, schools, nonprofits, and local groups may all be asking for donations. Giving Tuesday and year-end giving are close behind. Scammers may use that same spirit to send fake donation requests.
Charity scams work because they ask us to be kind. A scammer may add a sad story or an urgent deadline. That pressure can make it harder to slow down and check the request.
Where charity scams may appear
- Emails or text messages tied to a holiday, disaster, or urgent community need.
- Social media fundraisers and crowdfunding pages shared by friends or acquaintances.
- Calls from organizations with names that sound very similar to well-known charities.
- Donation requests that pressure you to act immediately or will not answer basic questions.
Four things to check before you donate
1. Confirm the exact organization
Ask for the charity's exact name and research it yourself. The FTC suggests tools such as the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, CharityWatch, or your state charity office (South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs). Be careful when a name sounds almost, but not quite, like a group you know.
2. Understand where your donation is going
Look for clear facts about the group, its work, and how donations are used. If the request came from social media or a crowdfunding page, check who started it. Also, check who will receive the money.
3. Pay attention to pressure and payment instructions
A real charity should give you time to think and check. Be careful if someone says you must give right now. Also watch for a demand to pay only by gift card, wire, crypto, or another hard-to-recover method.
4. Go directly to the charity
Do not use a donation link from an unexpected message. Find the group's official website yourself. This helps you avoid copycat pages built to steal payment details.
Stop. Check. Protect. before you give
- STOP when a donation request uses fear, guilt, or a deadline to rush you.
- CHECK the charity's exact name and reputation through independent resources.
- PROTECT your payment and personal information by donating through a website or channel you know is legitimate.
- Keep a receipt or confirmation for your records.
- Be extra careful with requests connected to breaking news or disasters, when scammers may try to take advantage of urgency.
Giving should feel good and informed
Taking a few minutes to check a request does not make your gift less kind. It helps make sure your money reaches the people or cause you wanted to support.
If a donation request involves your ABB account or card and something feels wrong, contact Anderson Brothers Bank before you act. If you sent money or shared private details with a scammer, contact us as soon as you can. You can also report the scam to the FTC.
Fraud prevention content is educational and does not guarantee prevention, recovery, or reimbursement. Customers should contact Anderson Brothers Bank directly through a trusted phone number, the official website, or a local branch if they believe an account, card, online banking access, or personal information may be at risk. Resolution timelines, provisional credits, reimbursement, and consumer liability depend on the facts, payment type, timing, and applicable law.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I check if a charity is legitimate?
Confirm the organization’s exact name and research it through independent sources such as BBB Wise Giving Alliance, CharityWatch, or your state charity regulator.
Are crowdfunding fundraisers always charities?
No. Money may go directly to an individual organizer rather than a registered nonprofit. Review who is organizing the fundraiser and where the money will go.
What is a warning sign in a donation request?
Pressure to give immediately, a name that closely imitates a known charity, vague answers about the organization, or unusual payment demands can all be warning signs.
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