Important Scam Alert for Charities This Festive Season

We recently had a close call with what turned out to be a scam. Someone contacted us offering to donation a valuable item to our charity. Everything sounded genuine at first, but we got suspicious when asked to pay delivery costs upfront through a payment link.

Thankfully, we paused, did some checks and discovered the details didn’t add up.

Can you warn other charities because this time of year seems to attract these scams?

The Christmas season is a time of generosity but unfortunately, it’s also a time when scammers target people’s goodwill. These scams often sound convincing but it is vital the charities stay alert and protect themselves and their donors.

What to watch out for:

• Unsolicited offers or calls from individuals or companies you don’t know.
• Deals that seem too good to be true such as free gifts or donations requiring payment for delivery or handling.
• Pressure to act quickly or transfer money without time to check.
• Unusual payment methods (e.g., banking apps instead of invoices).
• Requests for personal details or to keep the offer confidential.
• Vague or inconsistent contact details, misspellings, or poor grammar.

If you suspect a scam:

• Report it immediately to the Gardaí-this should always be your first step.
• Discuss internally with your communications team whether to issue a public warning on your social channels. Some charities have chosen to go public via media interviews to alert others, but that’s a decision for your team.
• Do your due diligence: Verify the donor, the item, and any associated companies. Check for inconsistencies like overseas payment requests or multiple identities linked to the same story.
• Never rush: Take time to confirm before sending any money.

Remember: If something feels off, pause and investigate. Protect your charity’s resources and reputation by staying vigilant.

You can find further information from An Garda Síochána by clicking here.