Beware Of Fake Charities This Holiday Season @McAfeeConsumer

18 Dec 2012 · 2 min

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In this News 13 segment, part of the "12 Scams of Christmas" series, the anchors warn viewers about the surge of fake charity scams during the holiday season. The Better Business Bureau reports hundreds of complaints each year about fraudulent charities, especially those solicited online or over the phone. The report highlights a high‑profile case where John Donald Cody operated the bogus "US Navy Veterans Association," defrauding donors of up to $100 million across 41 states. McAfee online‑security expert Robert Siciliano explains that scammers also exploit disaster relief narratives, registering thousands of domain names containing "Sandy" to mimic Hurricane Sandy charities. The segment advises consumers to research charities before giving, avoid high‑pressure emotional pitches, and verify that the organization is legitimate.

Chapters

Well, this is the time of the year when the crooks come out to cash in on your goodwill and busy schedule.
One of the biggest scams every holiday season involves fake charities. News 13's John Chrysos is on your side as we continue to count the 12 Scams of Christmas.
As we open our hearts and wallets this holiday season, scammers are out there hoping to cash in on your generosity. The Better Business Bureau says it gets hundreds of complaints about fake charities every year around this time. That's why fake charities comes in as our 5th scam of the season. Scam of Christmas. It's hard to miss this sign, or sound, of the season: The Salvation Army's red kettles, more than 100 of them spread out all over the state. When you put your money in here, you know where it's going. But online or over-the-phone donations make it easier for scammers to make their wishes come true—swindle you out of your money. So the Better Business Bureau is singing this tune: Give, but give wisely.
There are so many great causes out there and great charities. However, you do have to pay close attention to the names of the charities.
Take for example this guy, John Donald Cody. The FBI says he ran the fake charity US Navy Veterans Association. He used it, agents say, to defraud donors of up to $100 million in 41 states.
And it may sound as though you're giving to the charity you've given to in the past. However, it's a completely different in a not legitimate charity.
McAfee Online Security expert Robert Siciliano says scammers are also using the holiday season to pretend like they're raising money for Sandy relief.
Bad guys are actually registering, you know, thousands of domain names with the word Sandy in them because of Hurricane Sandy. And people, you know, they want to give of themselves and they are giving to the bad guys.
The Better Business Bureau says research before you give and don't give in to those high-pressure emotional pitches. John Creso, 13 On Your Side.