November 17, 2025
Holiday Giving Without Getting Scammed: How to Protect
Your Business and Your Reputation
The holiday season brings out the best in people and,
unfortunately, the worst in scammers.
From fake charities to misleading social media fundraisers,
cybercriminals know this is a time when emotions (and generosity) run high.
Just a few years ago, authorities shut down a tele funding scam that placed
over 1.3 billion deceptive calls, stealing more than $110 million
from well-meaning donors. Around the same time, researchers uncovered 800+
fake donation pages across major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X.
As a business, your giving reflects your values, but it also
carries your name. That makes trust and due diligence essential.
🎯 Why This Matters for
Businesses
Even one questionable donation whether it's public or tied
to an employee using your business identity can damage trust, draw unwanted
attention, and create unnecessary headaches.
Worse? The same emotional manipulation scammers use in fake
fundraisers often shows up in phishing attacks, invoice fraud, and social
engineering scams.
Training your team to spot one helps them recognize them
all.
🧠 How to Vet a Fundraiser
Before You Give
Whether it's a GoFundMe or an Instagram story appeal, ask a
few key questions:
- Who's
organizing it? What's their connection to the cause?
- Where
is the money going and on what timeline?
- Who
controls the funds? Is there transparency around withdrawals and how
money reaches its target?
- Are
trusted voices supporting it? Look for familiar names or endorsements.
🚨 If the answers are
vague or avoided pause before you give.
🏢 Check the Charities,
Too
Even established nonprofits deserve a second look. Before
making a donation, check for:
- 📊
Clear financial reporting and impact data
- 🔍
Transparent use of donations
- 🔎
A solid reputation (no "charity + scam" headlines in search)
If the details are hard to find or feel off, trust your
instincts.
💳 Common Holiday Scam
Tactics
Scammers are getting more polished. Here's what to watch
for:
- 🚫
Requests for gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers
- 🔓
Links that skip security (no HTTPS)
- ⏰
High-pressure language like "you already pledged"
- 🎭
Fake websites or social profiles that mimic real organizations
Even the best-designed scam can be just that, a scam.
✅ Smart Ways to Give (and Protect
Your Brand)
This season, give with confidence by taking a few smart
steps:
- Create
a donation policy. Set clear internal guidelines on how and when your
business gives.
- Educate
your team. Make sure staff know what red flags to look for, especially
if they're representing your business.
- Stick
to trusted platforms. Only donate through verified, official
websites—not links in texts or DMs.
- Verify
before sharing. If you're promoting a cause, double-check the
legitimacy first.
- Look
for follow-through. Reputable organizations will share updates and
impact reports. Make sure your donation is making the difference you
intended.
🎉 Keep
Your Holidays Generous Not Risky
Giving back is powerful—but protecting your business
while doing it is essential.
If you're looking to train your team or build policies that support secure
giving, CHR Creative is here to help.
👉 Want to help your team spot fake fundraisers,
phishing emails, and other scams before they cost you?
Book your free discovery call:
https://chrcreative.com/services/portland-cybersecurity-services
