Purdue Professor Talks Avoiding Charity Scams
Source: PHOTO: Ingram Publishing/Thinkstock
STATEWIDE — When you learn of different crises affecting people around the country, you may be inclined to help. So, one Purdue professor is urging you to watch out for charity scams.
In a video posted to the AP Newsroom, Computer Science Professor Eugene Spafford says scammers will often send messages that appear to be legitimate…but are really just efforts to take your money.
To avoid being conned, he recommends that you do your own research before donating to any organization. Useful websites that can help you learn more about various charities include CharityWatch and Charity Navigator.
When checking your email, you should also see if the message is from a verified account by looking at the sender’s address. On first glace, it may appear to be safe, but the email address could prove that it is a fake.
The same is true for text messages. Con artists commonly send texts, pretending to be entities like the U.S.P.S. These often include links that, if clicked, can allow scammers to access your personal information.
And, if you do get tricked by a scammer, Spafford notes that there are ways to rectify the situation.
For example, if you use a credit card to donate, you can immediately call and place a hold on your card, and tell the company about the fraudulent charge. You can also contact law enforcement.
