Charity scams and how to spot them – new video uploaded to AP Video Hub

In the video, Spafford breaks down how charity scams take advantage of people in times of crisis and how to spot these scams. All videos in the Campus Insights series are free for download and use by all AP members and can be found at apvideohub.ap.org or by doing a general search on the Associated Press site. AP members may use the video or to pull quotes for print article or for broadcast or podcast.

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Spafford says that there is usually an uptick in fraudulent activity whenever a humanitarian crisis occurs. Criminals use this as an opportunity to prey on people of goodwill. He recommends that those who want to donate to a charity should always double-check that what they are clicking on is real. He says that you should never click on a link that is sent to you or that you find in postings online. Instead, go to the charity organization’s website or use trusted resources such as Charity Watch, Charity Navigator, or CIDI.org. Charity scammers may try to steal your credit card information, and if they gain access to a computer at work or school, they may be able to download malicious software that will give them further access to that organization.