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As donations “flatline,” ACNC commissioner says “there are scammers out there ready to exploit people’s generosity”.
The government agency representing Australian charities has warned of scammers posing as charities as the holiday season ramps up.
While calling for generosity this time of year, as donations have practically flatlined, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) boss has said that Australian consumers also need to be wary of who they’re donating to.
“At this time of year, in the spirit of the season, we are encouraging people to dig deep and make a donation if they can,” ACNC commissioner Sue Woodward AM (pictured) said in a 9 December statement.
“Unfortunately, we also need to sound a note of caution. We know there are scammers out there ready to exploit people’s generosity.
“They pretend they are collecting money on behalf of a charity when they’re not. They may call, email, or approach you on the street seeking donations.”
According to Scamwatch, Australians lost at least $1.4 million to fake charities in the last five years. The real figure is likely far higher, as scam victims are often loath to report their misfortune.
“We strongly advise that you check the Charity Register before you donate to confirm if an organisation is real and registered. If it is on the register, you can be confident that it submits required core information about its work to us as the regulator, so it is transparent and accountable,” Woodward said.
“Click through to the charity’s website from the register and find out how to donate there. That is much safer than clicking on links in unsolicited texts or emails, or providing your details to a caller you don’t know, and who may not be who they say they are.”
Before making any donation, the ACNC recommends the following steps:
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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