How senior donors can avoid scams

FALLBROOK – Con artists masquerading as charities can victimize anyone, but seniors are especially vulnerable to such criminals. Men and women who perpetrate charitable fraud often target older men and women, feeling that seniors are more likely to have a significant amount of money in their bank accounts and less likely to report crimes for fear of embarrassment.

But even if seniors are prime targets for charitable fraud, they still can take steps to safeguard themselves from scammers looking to exploit their generosity.

• Seniors should never donate over the phone. No reputable charity will insist on a donation over the phone. When a person calls and says they represent a charity, they should be willing to send information in the mail so the senior can further explore their organization before making a final decision. If a caller attempts to pressure the senior into donating over the phone, the senior should hang up.

• Seniors should keep a list of organizations they have donated to in the past. Many people who perpetuate charitable fraud reference a past relationship or donation history between their victims and the charity the criminal is claiming to represent. Maintaining a list of their donation history, including the organizations they have donated to and the amount of those donations, can help seniors verify if the person calling, emailing or visiting them is telling the truth.

• Seniors should not feel obligated to give. Many charities send gifts to their donors as a token of appreciation for their support. Some criminals masquerading as charities will send gifts to potential victims in an attempt to fool them into writing a check. Whether a charity is legitimate or not, seniors should not feel obligated to donate simply because they received a gift. If they receive a gift and want to donate, they should confirm that the organization that sent the gift is legitimate and not an imposter organization that is baiting them with a gift. If the gift was accompanied by a donation form, they should not fill out that form, choosing instead to make a direct donation via the organization's website, a site they should find independent of the mailer/gift they received, or mail a check directly to the organization after independently confirming its address, be it through their own research or by contacting the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org).

• Seniors should insist that their personal information is not shared. Before making a charitable donation, donors are often notified that their contact information is likely to be sold to or traded with other charities. This can lead to an influx of charitable solicitations that elderly men and women may find overwhelming. So prior to making a donation, they can speak directly with the charity and insist that none of their information be shared with other charities or organizations. If this cannot be arranged, they can find an organization willing to make such a concession and contribute to that charity instead.

• Seniors should ask for help. If they are confused when it comes time to make their annual donations, they can ask a son, daughter or trusted confidante for help so they can rest easy knowing their donation goes where they intend for it to go.