Watch Out for EOFY Charity Scams: Protect Your Donations

• charity-scams
• EOFY-donations
• scam-prevention

Learn how to spot and avoid charity scams during EOFY in Australia. Get tips to stay safe and ensure your donations go to real causes.

Beware of Charity Scams During EOFY

As the End of Financial Year (EOFY) approaches in June, it's a time when many Australians look to donate to charities for both altruistic reasons and tax benefits. However, it's also a peak time for charity scams. Scammers exploit people’s goodwill, using deceptive tactics to steal money and personal information.

How Charity Scams Operate

Charity scams can take on various forms. Understanding how these scams work is the first step to protecting yourself and your money. Here are the common methods:

• Impersonation: Fraudsters mimic reputable charities or create bogus organisations with similar names.
• Disaster appeals: Scammers exploit natural disasters, using real images and fake stories to appeal for donations.
• Cold calls: High-pressure phone tactics are used to push for immediate donations or gather sensitive data.
• Emails and social media: These may contain links to phishing sites that harvest your personal or financial details.
• Fake events: Scammers sometimes promote false fundraisers, auctions, or concerts to collect money fraudulently.

How to Stay Safe from Charity Scams

To ensure your donation goes to a legitimate cause, consider the following safety measures:

• Verify the charity: Confirm that the organisation is listed on the official Charity Register. Authentic charities will always provide verification when asked.
• Go direct: Instead of clicking on donation links in emails or social media, visit the charity's official website directly.
• Be cautious of calls: Unsolicited calls asking for donations should be treated with suspicion. Always hang up and call the official number from the Charity Register.

Why EOFY Attracts Scammers

EOFY is an ideal time for scammers because people are more inclined to donate for tax deductions. Any donation of $2 or more to a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) charity is tax deductible, making this a tempting period for fraudsters to strike.

What to Do If You Suspect a Scam

If something feels off about a donation request, it's important to act. Here’s what you should do:

• Report the scam: Contact Scamwatch and ReportCyber with all details of the suspected fraud.
• Notify your bank: If you’ve already donated or shared payment info, contact your bank or card provider immediately to halt further transactions and attempt recovery.

Stay Generous, Stay Smart

EOFY is a fantastic time to support causes close to your heart and reduce your taxable income. Just make sure your money goes to genuine efforts by staying alert and informed. Let’s keep scammers out of charity and ensure help reaches those who truly need it.