Beware of criminals using current world events to solicit donations for fraudulent organizations. If you are looking to support through a donation below are some simple steps you can take to safe guard your money:

1. Research the organization yourself – make sure it is legitimate, and doesn’t just sound like one you have heard of before.
2. Be wary of requests to send cash, wire money or send gift cards.
3. Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unsolicited emails, texts or social media.
4. Donate through secure websites that you have authenticated through trusted sources.
5. Don’t give in to undue pressure – legitimate organizations understand you need to do your research and use proper payment methods.

Protect your personal information and your finances by not falling for these scams.