ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - One of the best ways to celebrate the holidays is by giving to those in need. But AAA is warning people who plan to donate online about cybercriminals exploiting your generosity by setting up fake charities.

“A few precautions will help prevent scammers from cashing in on your holiday spending. Charitable givers should likewise take steps to protect their financial information if they plan to donate online,” said Morgan Dean, Public and Government Affairs Manager, AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Fake charities often:

Mimic legitimate organizations . They confuse donors by creating names and logos very similar to well-known charities.

Request unusual payment methods : They might ask for donations via gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency, which are difficult to trace.

See Full Page