Don’t get caught in the Ukraine Relief Scams
People across the globe are looking for ways to help Ukrainians during their wartime by donating money to charitable organizations. But unfortunately, scammers are slyly trying to con those donors. Here’s what you need to know to make sure you don’t get caught in a Ukraine relief scam.
How the scams play out
Ukraine relief scams convince potential donors that they are legitimate charities that help pay for shelter, food, and supplies for Ukrainian refugees. They use various tactics, including phone calls and emails, to ask for donations. However, if the target donates, their money does not make it to Ukrainian refugees. Instead, it lands in the hands of scammers for use in, perhaps, even more, sinister endeavors.
Red flags
Charity scams can be challenging, but little info can help you identify them:
- Be wary of any organization that markets too aggressively.
- Look for typos and spelling errors in their marketing material.
- If the “organization” insists on payment by prepaid gift card or wire transfer, it’s probably a scam.
How to avoid this scam
- Never click a link or email attachment to donate online.
- Never share your Social Security number, credit card or debit card number, or any other identifying info online or on the phone with an unverified contact.
- Look up a charity you’d like to donate to on a charity-vetting site like Charity Navigator or CharityWatch.
- After you’ve verified that a relief fund is legit, contact them on your own to donate.
- Make your charitable donation via credit card.
Here are some verified charities that are collecting donations for Ukraine:
What if you fall prey to a scam?
If you believe you are a target, alert the FTC. If your credit card is compromised, consider putting a fraud alert on your credit report. Or, if you’ve paid with a gift card, contact the company to ask about a possible refund. Finally, be sure to tell your friends about the scam to help them stay safe.
Ukraine needs our support, but scammers intend to take advantage of the crisis. So, follow the tips outlined here to make sure you don’t get caught in the Ukraine Relief scam. If you have been a target, share your story with us in the comments. And if you like this post, make sure to check out our MoneySmart Tips blog.
