“Scammers can lay it on pretty thick this time of year:" Watch out for holiday charity scams

MADISON -- For many people, the holidays are as much about giving generously to different charities as they are for giving gifts to friends and family. For scammers, the holidays are a chance to take advantage of your goodwill through fraudulent charities with high-pressure pitches.

Two state agencies are asking consumers to research charities before making a donation and to be on guard against phone- and Internet-based requests for contributions.

“Scammers can lay it on pretty thick this time of year,” said Frank Frassetto, Division Administrator of Trade and Consumer Protection for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). “They know that aggressive, emotional appeals are effective during the holidays, so keep a level head if asked for an on-the-spot donation.”

George Althoff, Communications Director for the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), encouraged consumers to do their homework on charitable organizations when considering a donation.

“A good measuring stick is determining what percentage of an organization’s donations are used for programs and services,” Althoff said. “Charities that are well-run generally are ones that are spending a higher percentage of their funds raised on programs and services, as opposed to overhead costs.”

Financial information about charitable organizations’ level of spending on program activities can be found on the DFI website at www.wdfi.org/CharitableOrganizations, Althoff said.

DATCP and DFI offer up these tips for donors considering a donation to a charitable organization:

For more information or to file a complaint, consumers may contact: