The holiday season is all about giving—but for scammers, it’s open season on your goodwill.
This time of year, emotions run high and generosity spikes—which makes it the perfect storm for donation fraud. From fake fundraisers on Facebook to bogus “charity match” campaigns, scammers are finding increasingly sneaky ways to siphon money and trust from businesses and individuals alike.
If you're a small business in the Portland metro area, even one misstep can do more than cost money—it can damage your reputation, strain client relationships, and compromise employee trust.
Here’s how to stay generous without becoming a victim.
🚩 Real Scams, Real Consequences
Just a few years ago, one telefunding ring made 1.3 billion deceptive calls, raking in over $110 million from unsuspecting donors before the FTC shut them down.
Meanwhile, researchers from Cornell University found over 800 fraudulent donation accounts active on platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram—many targeting small business owners and their employees with emotionally charged, fake fundraisers.
🔍 How Portland Businesses Can Vet a Fundraiser Before Donating
Before you give—especially in your company’s name—make sure the campaign clearly answers:
- Who is organizing this fundraiser, and what is their relationship to the recipient?
- How will the funds be used, and what’s the timeline?
- Who controls the money and how will it reach the intended target?
- Do verified friends or family support it publicly?
If the answers are unclear or vague—stop and ask questions. If responses are evasive or you’re ignored, walk away.
⚠️ Red Flags That Signal a Scam
Keep an eye out for:
- Overly polished or emotional stories that tug too hard on heartstrings
- Claims that don’t match up with photos or descriptions
- Fundraisers that copy/paste another campaign’s story
- Vague timelines or unclear use of funds
- Fundraising organizers who can’t answer basic questions
When in doubt, report suspicious campaigns and don’t donate.
🧐 Charities Deserve Vetting Too
Even registered nonprofits aren’t immune from shady behavior. Here’s how to do your due diligence:
✅ Look for transparent financials, mission statements, and annual reports
✅ Check how much actually goes to programs (vs. overhead)
✅ Google the charity’s name alongside keywords like “scam” or “complaints”
✅ Avoid any organization with a vague online presence or poor reviews
🛑 Watch for These Classic Scammer Tactics
Cybercriminals often use the same tricks across donation fraud, phishing scams, and business impersonation. Watch out for:
- Requests for donations via gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto
- Websites without HTTPS (the “s” means secure)
- High-pressure messages urging you to donate “right now”
- Claims that you’ve already pledged, even if you haven’t
- Links sent through email or DMs from unfamiliar accounts
If it smells fishy, don’t click.
🏢 Why This Matters for Your Business Reputation
When your Portland business donates publicly, your name becomes associated with that cause. If it turns out to be fraudulent—even through no fault of your own—you risk brand damage, negative press, and community backlash.
And if your employees donate under the company’s name or match programs, the risk extends further.
What’s worse? These scams use the same tactics that cybercriminals use in phishing emails, wire fraud, and invoice scams. Educating your team on charity fraud helps protect against broader cybersecurity threats.
🔐 How to Keep Your Giving Secure
Here’s how we recommend Portland businesses protect their reputation—and their budgets—this holiday season:
✅ Create a Company Donation Policy
Set clear rules about where and how your business will contribute to charitable causes. Add approval thresholds for public or large gifts.
👩🏫 Educate Your Team
Run a short training session on donation fraud. Make sure employees know to vet campaigns before donating under your company name.
🌐 Use Trusted Channels
Always donate directly on official charity websites—not through random social media links or forwarded emails.
🧾 Be Transparent
If you publicize your company’s giving, make sure you can verify the charity and the impact of your donation.
📊 Monitor Use of Funds
If possible, follow up on how your donations are used. Reputable charities often publish impact reports or updates.
🎁 Keep Your Holidays Generous—Not Risky
Giving back is one of the best parts of the season. But scammers know how to twist good intentions into bad outcomes.
Let’s make sure your giving helps—not harms.
📞 Need Help Training Your Team or Securing Your Business?
At Blue Arch Technology, we help Portland SMBs stay safe—whether it’s spotting charity scams, preventing phishing attacks, or locking down your systems during the holidays.
Don’t let fraud derail your goodwill.
🗓️ Book a free discovery call today and we’ll show you how to keep your staff sharp and your business reputation intact.
📞 Call us at 503-610-8051
🌐 Visit www.BlueArchTech.com
Because the best gift you can give your business—and your community—is trust that can’t be stolen.