MELANIE PAYNE

TELLMEL@NEWS-PRESS.COM

This column has two sections. The first is a warning to nonprofits about donations and the second is a warning – and advice – for folks donating to nonprofits:

Charities need to watch out for scam donors

Scammers who once targeted individuals have turned to small nonprofit organizations.

These organizations, and the individuals on their boards, are getting emails claiming that someone wants to make a large donation. If you've ever been on the board of a small nonprofit, a donation of $10,000 or $12,000 is a dream come true. Scammers know this makes nonprofits vulnerable.

Phyllis Shelton holds executive-level positions in a number of small local non-profits. She’s the secretary emeritus for a Rotary Club, and served on the board of an arts group and nonprofit women’s business organization.

She received an email earlier this month from someone using the email of a woman in Norway. It read:

“You have been chosen to benefit from Bernard Arnault Philanthropic Donation. Reply for more details to redeem. NOTE: please do not ignore this is the third time trying to reach you.”

I’m not sure if this was a regular scam for an individual or because of Shelton’s positions, but my guess is the latter. That's because the Better Business Bureau has been getting reports from nonprofit executives about this type of email scam.

In the BBB examples, the groups have been contacted via email asking where to send a $12,000 donation. When the check arrives, it’s for $35,000. That’s when the scammer contacts the charity and tells them there’s been a mistake. Could they deposit it and return the excess?

Of course, the checks are worthless. And if the nonprofit groups had complied they would have lost the money that was returned to the scam donor.

If you are involved in development for a nonprofit, be on the lookout for these too-good-to-be-true donations.

Donors watch out for scam charities

It’s the time of year where we all feel generous. Don’t let that generosity be misplaced or wasted on a charity scam.

Charities that rely on telemarketing are often nothing more than a way for fundraisers to make money. Very little will go to the charity. My advice is to never give to any group that solicits over the phone. Ask the caller to mail you information about the charity and you’ll consider it for a donation after doing some research.

Be aware that these people know all the ways to tug at your heartstrings. I had one tell me, “You care about little children with cancer, don’t you?” Who could say “no” to that? At that point it’s best to just hang up. Otherwise you risk being bullied or "guilted" into making a donation.

Golisano Children's hospital fundraising hits $100M mark

Another scam that proliferates around this time of year is the “buy a toy for charity” ruse. These folks purchase cheap teddy bears and other small toys and set up in front of stores and at strip malls. They will tell you that you can purchase one of these toys for a $10 donation and then they’ll give it to a charity that distributes gifts to needy children.

When purchased in bulk, these toys are $1 to $3 each. So where’s the rest of the money you gave them going? Into the pockets of the people running the charity and the folks who work for them. Most of these outfits aren’t even registered charities. So watch out.

Another charitable scam around this time of year is the individual panhandler. The destitute souls who approach you in a gas station or a mall parking lot with a sob story, “I’ve got three kids and I can’t afford Christmas gifts," they'll say. Or, “I’m trying to get enough money to get to Tennessee for the holidays and visit my dying mama.”

It’s tempting this time of year to be generous with these folks, to err on the side of grace. But there are legitimate local charities, community groups and religious organizations that could really put to good use even an amount as small as $10.

This year for example, the Harry Chapin Food Bank is distributing grocery store gift cards instead of turkeys at Thanksgiving. You can buy grocery gift cards in denominations as low as $5 and give them to Harry Chapin or another charity that distributes to the needy.

Charities that solicit donations from the public are required to be registered with the state of Florida. You can check a charity's registration at the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services which will also give details on the organization's total revenue and the percentage of that revenue spent on administration and fundraising.

Tell Mel: Donations for Club Blu victims

If you're making a really large donation, you should check out a charity in-depth. Go to Charity Navigator, GuideStar and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. As all three have a different focus I like consulting them all before giving money. I also encourage donating to local agencies so you can see how your money is benefitting your community. And if you don’t have money, you can always volunteer. Volunteers are needed year-round, not just at the holidays.

Contact: TellMel@news-press.com; (239)344-4772; 2442 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33901. facebook.com/TellMel and Twitter @tellmel Sign up for the Tell Mel newsletter at news-press.com/newsletters