The holidays are the season of giving — and, unfortunately, also the season of taking. Scammers know that generosity is at its peak this time of year, and they’re ready to cash in on your goodwill with fake fundraisers and phony donation links.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, a single telefunding scam operation once made 1.3 billion deceptive donation calls, raking in over $110 million. And that’s just one case. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are also flooded with fake donation pages, pulling at heartstrings (and wallets).

If your business supports charities during the holidays, one wrong click could cost more than just a donation — it could damage your reputation and expose your organization to cyber risks.

Here’s how to keep your giving safe, secure, and scam-free.

🎄 How To Vet a Fundraiser Before You Donate

Before you give, take a quick moment to check for legitimacy. A trustworthy fundraiser should clearly answer:

• Who’s running it, and what’s their connection to the recipient?
• Where the money’s going, and how it will be used?
• Who controls withdrawals, and when will funds be released?
• Do close contacts support it publicly? (Family and friends of the recipient often validate legitimate campaigns.)

If answers are vague, avoid donating until you can verify details. Scammers rely on emotion — not logic — to get you to act fast.

🚨 Red Flags That Signal a Scam

Keep an eye out for these telltale signs:

• Emotional stories that seem too perfect or manipulative.
• Fundraisers that copy others’ photos or wording.
• Requests for donations through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
• Websites missing “https” — that little s means secure.
• Pressure to “donate now” or claims that you’ve already pledged.

Legitimate charities don’t rush you. If it feels off, it probably is.

🧠 Why This Matters for Businesses

When your business donates — even privately — your name becomes part of that story.
A well-meaning gift to a fraudulent cause could:

• Tarnish your brand’s reputation.
• Put sensitive financial data at risk.
• Expose employees to similar social engineering attacks.

The same tricks used in charity scams — urgency, impersonation, fake websites — are common in phishing and cybersecurity threats that target businesses every day.

So, training your team to spot these red flags isn’t just about giving safely — it’s about strengthening your cybersecurity posture.

🛡️ How To Protect Your Business (and Your Goodwill)

You can stay generous and secure by putting a few smart practices in place:

• Create a donation policy: Define how and where your company contributes, with clear approval steps.
• Educate employees: Teach staff how to verify fundraisers and recognize scams.
• Donate through trusted channels: Always go directly to a verified charity’s website — never through random links.
• Follow up: Check back after the holidays to ensure funds were used as promised.

These small steps protect your finances, your reputation, and your community trust.

🎁 Keep Your Holidays Generous — Not Risky

The holidays should be about giving back, not getting scammed. Protecting your business starts with awareness — and the right cybersecurity partner can make that easier year-round.

👉 Schedule your free discovery call here
and make sure your team knows how to spot scams — whether it’s a fake fundraiser, a phishing e-mail, or a bogus invoice.

Because the best gift you can give your business this season is peace of mind.

For more information:

📲 CALL 504-334-TECH | 📨 EMAIL contact@technologyedge.com