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Protect Yourself from Charity Scams During Times of Crisis

When communities face hardship, the desire to help others runs high. Unfortunately, so does fraudulent activity.

At Westerra, we believe in the power of community and compassion. But we also know that fraudsters often use moments of crisis to take advantage of people’s goodwill. One of the most common schemes during these times is the charity scam — a fraud disguised as a heartfelt request for help.

Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself and ensure that your generosity reaches the people who truly need it.

What Is a Charity Scam?

Scammers pose as legitimate charities or disaster relief organizations, asking for donations via email, text message, phone calls, or fake websites. They may use real-sounding names, create urgency, or mimic well-known organizations to earn your trust quickly.

Their goal is simple: to steal your money or personal information.

Red flags to watch for:

  • High-pressure tactics: They may urge you to donate immediately or say lives depend on your quick action.

  • Strange payment methods: Requests for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency are major red flags.

  • Unfamiliar contact info or misspellings: Be wary of misspelled organization names, sketchy email addresses, or poor grammar.

  • No transparency: Legitimate charities are open about how they use your donations. Scammers tend to be vague or evasive.

How to Protect Yourself

  • Do your homework: Before donating, verify the charity through trusted sites like CharityNavigator.org or Give.org

  • Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited messages: Visit the organization’s website directly to ensure that you’re not being redirected to a fake site.

  • Keep your information private: Never share sensitive financial or personal information with anyone unless you’re sure it’s a legitimate organization.

If You’re Unsure — Ask for Help

If something doesn’t feel right, don’t take the risk. Our team at Westerra is here to help you assess suspicious messages or donation requests. Call us at 303-321-4209.

By staying informed and cautious, you can protect yourself and ensure that your support truly makes a difference.

Fraud alert

We have been notified of fraudsters impersonating Westerra employees attempting to gain access to sensitive account information. Westerra will never request for you to provide your online account password or passcode over the phone or through text message.

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