AG Miyares warns Virginians about holiday charity scams

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — With the holiday season in full swing, Attorney General Jason Miyares is warning Virginians about charity scams.

“Virginians have big hearts, and their generosity shines especially bright during the holiday season,” Miyares said. “Unfortunately, scammers are eager to exploit this goodwill for their own benefit. My Consumer Protection Section is here to help ensure your donations support legitimate organizations and make a real impact.”

A list of tips provided by Miyares to avoid charity scams can be found below:

• Give to charities you know and trust.
• Be cautious of groups with names that closely resemble or mimic those of well-known, reputable charities.
• Avoid high-pressure tactics.
• Request detailed information about the charity’s programs and services in writing.
• Understand how much of your donation will go to the charity’s programs and services.
• Check whether the charity and its fundraisers are registered with the Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs.

The president of the Better Business Bureau, Barry Moore, said that scams spike every year during the holiday season — especially with online shopping.

Moore’s advice to shoppers this season is to avoid “dream deals” and to look out for misspellings in places like the URL to determine if it’s a fake site. He also said paid ads of social media sites are often a scammer’s playground.

Those who feel they have fallen victim to a scam are urged to file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section here.