With the holiday giving season underway, Wisconsin officials are urging residents to be cautious of charity scams ahead of Giving Tuesday on December 2nd. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the Department of Financial Institutions say scammers often take advantage of the season with emotional appeals, fake websites, and high-pressure tactics.
DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski says donors should ensure their contributions go to real causes, not scammers. DFI Secretary-designee Wendy Baumann adds that holiday donors are especially vulnerable to imposters using urgent requests or fraudulent online campaigns.
Officials recommend researching any charity before giving, verifying the group’s identity, and asking for details about how donations are used. Real organizations can provide contact information and annual reports, and they won’t pressure donors for immediate payment. Donors are also urged to avoid unrecoverable payment methods like cash, cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers, and peer-to-peer payment apps. Instead, they should pay by credit card or check made out directly to the organization.
Consumers are also warned to be cautious of solicitations featuring celebrities, as some ads may use AI-generated images to mimic endorsements.
Reliable charity information is available at Give.org, CharityNavigator.org, and through DFI’s donor resources and registrant database. For additional assistance or to file a complaint, residents can visit the state Consumer Protection website or contact the Consumer Protection Hotline.
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