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By Monica Sager
Live News Reporter
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Giving Tuesday is here, and millions worldwide are donating to charities. That also opens them up for potential scams.
According to a recent national survey conducted by AARP of about 1,900 U.S. adults, more than three-quarters of respondents said they've faced some type of fraudulent activity. The survey found that online shopping practices have brought additional hazards for donors and shoppers. Thirty-five percent of respondents said they received fake charity requests for charitable giving.
"Unfortunately, scammers are eager to exploit this goodwill for their own benefit," Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares said in a statement on December 3 that warned residents to be cautious with their donations on Giving Tuesday.
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The AARP survey found that six in 10 Americans don't always do their research before contributing to a cause.
When did Giving Tuesday start?
The Giving Tuesday idea started in 2012 to encourage people to "do good." It takes place on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, which in 2024 is on December 3. The holiday is a reprieve from Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping events.
The movement has grown worldwide 12 years later, inspiring millions to give back each year. The Giving Tuesday website touts that leaders have launched initiatives in nearly 100 countries.
Last year, Malawi, Georgia, Seychelles and Indonesia joined as official Giving Tuesday countries.
"Every year the creativity, commitment, time, and spirit put towards GivingTuesday by our leaders, community members, and many millions of generous people across every country is a reminder of what's possible when we work together for the greater good," Asha Curran, GivingTuesday's chief executive officer, said in a press release.
Giving Tuesday is now a year-round movement.
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How does Giving Tuesday work?
The Giving Tuesday website boasts that $3.1 billion was donated on the charitable day in 2023, a .6 percent increase from 2022.
However, an estimated 34 million adults in the U.S. participated in Giving Tuesday in 2023—a 10 percent decrease from 2022. The Giving Tuesday site suggests this is "mirroring trends in the nonprofit sector over the past year."
"We are so inspired to see a show of generosity of this magnitude every year. Our goal with GivingTuesday, not just on the day itself but year-round, is to create an ecosystem of giving that helps communities, causes, and organizations across the globe," Curran said.
"However, we are concerned to see a decline in participation in line with giving trends from the past year. GivingTuesday's mission is to inspire generosity among as many people as possible, not just raise as many dollars as possible."
"Generosity has such important correlations with civic participation, community cohesion, and well-being," Curran added.
How to avoid scams
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Platforms such as Charity Navigator and Guidestar can help confirm that a charity is registered. They also often include financial reports.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also has a search tool for donors to verify if an organization is genuinely tax-exempt.
The Better Business Bureau also suggests reviewing the basic giving tips found on Give.org. One suggestion is that the donor should get the charity's exact name since "with so many charities in existence, mistaken identity is a common problem."
The site also suggests donors resist pressure from telemarketers and door-to-door solicitors. This allows people to actually research a charity's specifics, check a website, and investigate suggestions from state charity officials.
Where can I donate?
After finding credible charities, people can donate through websites that relate to the causes they care about. Monetary donations are often tax deductible.
Other ways to donate include hosting food drives, volunteering at a shelter, or giving blood.
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