COVID-19 charity fraud is on the rise, warns the FBI
Thinking of making charitable donations this holiday season? Great! It’s natural to get into a giving spirit this time of year—especially considering the year we’ve had. Bear in mind, though, there are plenty of cyber criminals out there waiting to catch you off guard and capitalize on your generosity.
The holidays are peak season for charity fraud, and the FBI released a statement this month warning people about scams associated with COVID-19 charities.
“Nationwide, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies have received reports of scammers fraudulently soliciting donations for individuals, groups, and areas affected by COVID-19,” the warning reads. “They are leveraging the COVID-19 pandemic to steal your money, your personal information, or both. Don’t let them.”
“There are legitimate organizations out there that are trying to raise money to help victims of COVID-19 and their families,” notes Adam Levin, cyber security expert and founder of Cyberscout, to Yahoo Life. “But then there are also scammers who send fake charitable requests.”
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/covid19-charity-fraud-holiday-season-norton-security-online-184237112.html