Honoring Our Heroes Safely
How to Avoid Fraudulent Veteran Charities This Memorial Day
Every Memorial Day, our nation pauses to remember—and to give back. Don’t let scammers steal your goodwill. Use these simple checks to make sure your donations truly help veterans.
Quick Stat:
Veterans lost over $419 million to charity scams in 2024.
Why Veterans Are a Top Target
- Patriotic Peak: Donation volume surges around holidays.
- Emotional Pull: Heart-tugging stories lower our guard.
- Urgent Push: “Donate before midnight!” tactics rush your decision.
Common Veteran Charity Scams
- Fake 501(c)(3) Charities: Shell orgs vanish after you give.
- Bogus Benefits Offers: “Exclusive” discounts—for a fee.
- Phishing Impersonators: Calls or emails posing as VA or big nonprofits.
Pro Tip:
Always verify charity details before you click “Donate.” It takes just 2 minutes!
How to Verify Before Giving
- BBB Check: Look up ratings & complaints on BBB.org.
- IRS Status: Confirm 501(c)(3) status via the IRS Select Check.
- Watchdog Ratings: Review Charity Navigator & GuideStar for transparency scores.
- Secure Payments: Use credit cards or PayPal Giving Fund—avoid wires & gift cards.
- No Unsolicited Links: Delete unknown messages; never click unexpected donation links.
Red Flag:
Pressure to act “right now” almost always means it’s a scam.
If You Spot a Scam
- Report to BBB Scam Tracker
- File at the FTC Complaint Center
- Alert VA OIG: va.gov/oig or 1-800-488-8244
- Contact your bank to dispute any unauthorized charges
Bottom Line
Your support can truly honor our heroes—if it reaches the right place. Take a moment to verify, use safe payment methods, and report anything suspicious.