VIDEO: Attorney General Moody Issues Tips to Avoid Charity Scams as Americans Donate Billions on Giving Tuesday

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-Attorney General Ashley Moody is issuing tips for Floridians to avoid charity fraud on Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday is a popular time for making charitable contributions. Last year, Americans gave more than $3.1 billion to charities during Giving Tuesday. Attorney General Moody is offering tips to help Floridians avoid falling victim to charity scams when making holiday contributions.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, "Many Floridians feel called to give during the holiday season, especially on Giving Tuesday. To help ensure these donations go to the intended cause, I'm issuing tips to help Floridians avoid charity scams today and through the entirety of the holiday season."

Attorney General Moody offers the following tips to avoid charity scams:

• Research the Charity: Before donating, research the charity and make sure it is accredited with the Better Business Bureau or check for the organization's rating on CharityNavigator.org;
• Beware of Similar Names: Scammers may use names similar to well-known charities - changing the spelling of a word or adding a different domain name;
• Be Cautious of Solicitations: Do not automatically trust phone calls, emails or text messages from unknown or unverified sources requesting donations;
• Don't Share Sensitive Information Online: Never provide personal or financial information to an unexpected contact; and
• Secure Online Donations: When donating online, ensure the website is secure and the URL begins with 'https://.' Look for the padlock symbol in the web address bar.

For more tips related to charity scams, view Attorney General Moody's Scams at a Glance: Charity Scams resource by clicking here.

Floridians can also find information about common holiday shopping pitfalls and avoiding charity scams in Attorney General Moody's 2024 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide. Click here to view the guide.

Floridians can report charity scams to the Florida Attorney General's Office by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM or visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.

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