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.
