Generosity, compassion, empathy, charity – those are the things that make us human. When we see suffering, asking for help is almost as natural as reaching for your smartphone when you realize you’ll have to wait seven minutes at the dentist. But when it comes to large-scale foreign crises, such as the one happening in Ukraine, many of us don’t have the equipment or resources to volunteer or help directly, which, on the contrary, gives us the opportunity to provide our monetary support. .
Get in: your not-so-friendly community scammer. With the sudden influx of resources and sent to Ukraine, savvy scammers are capitalizing on the loot. In fact, according to Tessian Cloud Email Security, the number of new registered domain names containing the word “Ukraine” has increased by 210% since last year. — and 77% of them appear to be malicious.
If you feel compelled to give, don’t let the worry of being scammed stop you. Giving is one of the most vital things you can do with your money. And it’s also the biggest fun you can have with money. for those who get it, but it’s also smart for you. Giving aid to your intellectual health, makes you and those around you happier and, according to Geisinger Health, reduces long-term tension (which in turn makes you live longer). ). Also, if you are a user of faith, giving is all you are called to do.
But if you show intelligence on the street, you can be sure that your money will fall into good hands and have the maximum effect on supporting Ukraine.
So here are my most sensible tips for avoiding scams:
Check charity and use reliable resources. Yes, it sounds pretty obvious, but malicious sites and schemes are becoming more and more effective at tricking us into trusting them. That’s why you deserve to go straight to a charity’s online page instead of donating through social media, clicking on anything in an email or text message, or donating over the phone. Online sites like Charity Navigator or GuideStar are ingenious (and useful) resources that locate and determine organizations and charities that are trustworthy for you.
Pay attention to payment methods. For starters, never give cash over the phone or text message.
Phone calls tend to be scams, however, if you need any explanation as to why it’s legitimate, call the organization yourself (via the actual phone number on their website) before you even think about making a payment. If you’re inspired to pay with cryptocurrencies, gift cards, or cable transfers, you’d be willing to bet that my air fryer is a scam, and that means anything (I mean, have you ever made Brussels sprouts on those things?). Also pay attention to QR codes. Often, scammers use them to take you directly to paid apps like Cash App or Zelle. And finally, check 3 times what is funded through crowdfunding, such as GoFundMe accounts, and make sure that the organizer is who they say they are and that they are getting the cash where they say they will go.
Be skeptical and do your research. I know, searching sounds like a bad habit you gave up after college, but even a quick Google search will probably tell you everything you want to know about a supposed charity. A smart rule of thumb is that if it sounds incomplete, it probably is. . Look for clues, such as spelling mistakes. And if you feel pressure, urgency or guilt, those red flags that further investigation is imperative. The red flags he had about his ex might not apply here, but they use the same instinctive emotions to make sensible decisions.
If you believe you have discovered gold in suspicious activity, report it to your state’s attorney general and then file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). If you realize you are a victim of a scam, contact your bank to freeze your account and see what they can do for you, and be sure to file a criminal complaint.
Even if you don’t have much to give right now, giving what you can will replace you. I promise. You will begin to feel more grateful and happy with your life. And don’t worry about the dollar amount. Small sacrifices will make a difference in your life and, more importantly, in someone else’s. Now go ahead and give wisely.
George Kamel is an expert in non-public finance with a countercultural technique to money. He is the host of The Fine Print podcast and the EntreLeadership podcast on the Ramsey network. Since 2013, George has worked at Ramsey Solutions, where his purpose is to help other people spend less, save more, and avoid customer cheating so they can get the most out of their money.