Check Before You Give: How to Spot Charity and Sweepstakes Scams This Giving Season
Pull up a chair. The leaves are turning, Thanksgiving is a few weeks away, and the generous spirit of the season is already warming up. That is a beautiful thing. It is also exactly why this is a good moment to talk about scammers who borrow the names of good causes.
On October 26, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published a consumer alert about impostors who pose as well-known charities and tell people they have won a charity-sponsored sweepstakes. Let's break this down so your kindness lands exactly where you meant it to.
Here's What Happened
The FTC's alert describes a particular twist. Someone calls, texts, or messages you and claims to be with a charity you support. They say you have won a sweepstakes, sometimes because you donated. Then comes the catch.
In the FTC's words: "The moment someone tells you to pay to claim your prize, you know you're dealing with a scam." The agency adds that only scammers demand payment or personal information, like a Social Security number, in exchange for a prize.
The alert and the FTC's related guidance point to a few tactics worth knowing:
Borrowed names. Scammers may use the names of real charities, or names that sound like real charities, in calls, social media, and ads.
Faked caller ID. The FTC says scammers can fake caller ID, even showing a real government agency or company name or number.
Paid search ads. Impostors sometimes advertise on platforms like Google Search and Bing to steer you to false information, so the FTC suggests scrolling past paid ads.
Thanks for a gift you never made. The FTC's donating-safely guidance notes that some scammers try to collect money by thanking you for a donation you never made.
Nothing here is a new law or a new program. It is a timely reminder from a federal consumer agency, and it is worth passing along.
Why It Matters
Scams like this work because they borrow trust. If a call mentions a cause you already love, your guard naturally comes down. That is not a weakness. It is a sign of a generous heart, and a good reason to build a few simple habits.
There is also a cost beyond your own wallet. Every dollar that goes to an impostor is a dollar that never reaches the food pantry, the animal rescue, or the scholarship fund you meant to help.
The timing matters too. According to GivingTuesday, this year's global day of giving is December 1, 2026. Many of us will give more than usual between now and then, so a one-minute check is a good habit to have in place before the requests start rolling in.
The FTC has also warned recently about callers who claim to be from the FTC itself. The agency says a real FTC employee will never ask you to send money or threaten to disconnect your phone. If someone does, that is your cue to hang up.
What This Means for the Village
Families and parents. Kids and teens get texts, direct messages, and "you won!" pop-ups too. A quick family rule, "nobody pays to win anything," is easy to remember and works for every age.
Retirees and anyone who answers the phone. A friendly voice mentioning a charity you have supported for years can sound completely normal. That is why the FTC says not to trust caller ID alone.
Entrepreneurs and small business owners. Many owners sponsor teams, buy raffle tickets, and give from the business account. Verifying the organization first protects your budget and your reputation. And if you run your own giveaways, remember the FTC's reminder that real sweepstakes are free and decided by chance. It is illegal to ask people to pay or buy something to enter or to improve their odds.
Local nonprofits. Real charities are hurt when impostors erode trust. Donors who check first make life easier for the honest organizations doing the work.
What You Can Do Now
Here's what you should know and do, starting today:
Never pay to claim a prize. The FTC lists fees for "taxes," "shipping and handling," "processing," or "customs duties" as classic signs of a prize scam. Real prizes are free, and you never need to share bank or Social Security numbers to receive one.
Hang up and look it up yourself. If a caller says they represent a charity, end the call and find the charity's number on its official website or a past receipt. Do not use a number the caller gives you. Don't let anyone rush you either, because the FTC says rushing is a scammer's move.
Check that the charity is real. The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tells you whether a donation would be tax deductible. The FTC also says most states require charities or their fundraisers to register. In Georgia, the Secretary of State regulates charities and offers a registered-charity database, and its Securities and Business Regulation Division can be reached at 404.656.3920, according to the Georgia Attorney General's charities page. In other states, find your regulator through NASCO.
Search the name with a few extra words. Try the charity's name plus "complaint," "review," or "scam," and scroll past the paid ads at the top.
Pay in a way you can trace. The FTC says donation requests for cash, gift cards, or wire transfers are how scammers ask to be paid, and that a credit card or check is safer. Keep a record of what you give, and check your statements to make sure you were charged only what you agreed to and are not signed up for a recurring gift.
Report it. Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your state charity regulator. If it came in the mail, the FTC also points to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. If you shared personal information, visit IdentityTheft.gov for next steps.
How the Village Can Help
The village is strongest when it's prepared, and a little neighborly conversation goes a long way.
Share the pause rule. Text this article to a parent, grandparent, or neighbor who might pick up a call from an unfamiliar number. Offer to sit with them for ten minutes while they look up a charity together.
Give close to home. Face-to-face giving is one of the simplest ways to know where your gift lands. Our Around The Village stories highlight local drives, fundraisers, and volunteer opportunities you can check out in person.
Give time, too. A few hours of volunteering is a gift no impostor can intercept. You can also read more community stories from our Sophie Scholarship collection.
If you would like more neighborly scam-proofing, we have covered Medicare Open Enrollment scams and checking your receipt for pricing errors here on The Front Porch.
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Front Porch Takeaway
Generosity is at its best when it is informed, so take one minute to check before you give, and your kindness will land exactly where you meant it to.
This content was generated by AI.
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