Don't Get Ripped Off On Giving Tuesday: Tips For Ohioans

CLEVELAND — Giving Tuesday is a day marked for charitable donations to organizations and causes. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost wants to make sure residents don't have their goodwill used against them.

“We all need to open our hearts, our wallets — and our eyes,” Yost said.

Tuesday, Dec. 3, will see millions of Americans use smart phones and social media to seek out charitable causes for donations. They may also use crowdfunding websites, giving portals or even live-gaming websites to donate. Technology has made online giving easier and faster than ever. But that means it's also easier to be taken advantage of.

Yost offered these tips to prevent being scammed out of money on Giving Tuesday:

• Be weary of "look-alike" websites. Scammers will sometimes design a website to look like a well-known charity and then solicit "donations." Pay close attention to the website you're on and make sure it's legitimate.
• Yost said residents should look for the "s" in "https" at the beginning of a web address, which means the site is secure.
• Try to identify how a website or group may use your personal information. Yost said residents should be cautious of groups that don't provide a privacy policy to donors.
• Beware the emotional appeal. One surefire way to solicit donations is to offer a heartbreaking anecdote. However, scammers will sometimes steal photos or text and use those resources to get into your wallet.
• Figure out how much of your donation will go to the charity's work.
• Research charities using resources from the IRS Select Check, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator and GuideStar.
• Don't assume a charity on a social media site has been vetted.