And the FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Partner Award goes to . . .

We’re told the name Nebraska comes from the Otoe term Ñí Brásg, meaning “serene water.” The Platte River flows across the state until it converges with the Missouri. From there, it meets the Mississippi, creating the unstoppable force that gives it the name “mighty.” Who doesn’t enjoy a bit of heartland geography, but our purpose today is to draw an analogy to the most recent recipient of the FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection’s Partner Award: Nebraska’s favorite daughter – and among the FTC’s favorite partners – Abigail Stempson.

Director of the National Attorneys General Training and Research Institute’s (NAGTRI) Center for Consumer Protection at the National Association of Attorneys General, Abby has devoted her career to the cause of consumer protection. Before coming to NAAG in 2017, Abby was Chief of the Consumer Protection Bureau in the Nebraska AG’s Office, where she was a formidable leader in the fight against fraud and deception. At NAGTRI, Abby heads the nation’s only entity dedicated solely to providing training, research, and expertise to the staff of AGs’ offices and other government agencies committed to protecting the public from consumer fraud and abuse.

In honoring Abby with its Partner Award, the FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection acknowledges her preeminent role as an advocate, a uniter, and a teacher. Our point with the initial geographical reference – and we have one, we promise – is that like the Platte River, Abby’s efforts as an Assistant Attorney General extended across the Cornhusker State from Scottsbluff to Omaha, improving the lives of Nebraskans at all points in between. 

To carry the analogy a step further, Abby’s true superpower is the force she unleashes when she joins with law enforcers nationally to tackle the most challenging consumer protection issues of the day. Consumers and consumer protection agencies have benefited from her leadership at NAGTRI, where she proves every day that we’re best when we work together and her cooperative partnerships with the Bureau of Consumer Protection demonstrate that. Whether it’s crafting law enforcement responses to tech support scams, bringing members of the community together at FTC-AG Common Ground conferences, or meeting the challenges of the COVID pandemic, our joint efforts are more effective thanks to Abby’s legal expertise, leadership, and “can do” approach to collaborative enforcement and education.

Abby has ensured her legacy as a valued partner through her role as an inspiring teacher. She has trained hundreds of State Assistant Attorneys General in the basics – and intricacies – of consumer protection enforcement. Whether through formal training programs or the shoulder-to-shoulder example she sets as she works in the consumer protection trenches, we carry out our shared mission to protect and educate more effectively, thanks to Abby.

For these reasons, the FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection is privileged to present its Partner Award to the mighty Abigail Stempson.

IRS joins effort to fight charity fraud during international recognition week

The Internal Revenue Service announced its continued support by joining international efforts to fight fraud during Charity Fraud Awareness Week, October 17-21.

The IRS partners in this effort as part of its ongoing commitment to fight fraud against charities, businesses and individuals. It’s estimated that charitable organizations will lose 5% of their revenue each year to fraud, according to the Fraud Advisory Panel, a UK-based organization leading the effort by organizing this week of awareness. Experts say cybercrime is on the rise, including attacks on charities, their supporters and beneficiaries.

Charities, regulators, agencies, law enforcement and other not-for-profit stakeholders around the world are working together to raise awareness about fraud and cybercrime that affects charities. These efforts resulted in seven days when supporters actively discuss fraud, share best practices and offer helpful resources.

How to verify a charity

“We’d like to thank the Fraud Advisory Panel for reminding donors to remain vigilant,” said IRS Director of Exempt Organizations & Government Entities Rob Malone. “Unfortunately, natural disasters, like Hurricane Ian, provide an opportunity for charity scammers to take advantage of genuine efforts to help. I urge donors to verify a charity’s tax-exempt status at Tax Exempt Organization Search before donating goods, services or money.”

Fake Charities

In addition to cybercrime targeting charities, criminals who create fake charities are also a problem. Fake charities are part of the IRS’s Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2022. As noted above, taxpayers should verify legitimate and qualified charities using the Tax Exempt Organization Search tool on IRS.gov. Donors should never feel pressured to give immediately.

Links to more information

A special website was created for Charity Fraud Awareness Week and features information to help partners, charities and other tax-exempt organizations and non-profits find:

  • Details about the awareness week
  • Free resources
  • A fraud pledge for organizations
  • A listing of webinars and other events

Those encouraged to participate in the week’s activities include:

  • Trustees, staff and volunteers from charities, non-government organizations and non-profits
  • Organizations that represent the interests of non-profits
  • Accountants, auditors and those acting as professional advisors to non-profits
  • Regulators, law enforcement officials and policymakers working to safeguard non-profits

AG Healey Launches Online Portal for Charities Filings in Massachusetts

New Online Feature Allows More Than 25,000 Charities and Non-Profit Organizations To Streamline Annual Disclosures

Attorney General Josh Stein today reminded North Carolinians to be on the lookout for charity scams and shared tips to help avoid charity scammers ahead of the holiday season as part of National Charity Fraud Awareness Week. So far in 2022, more than 4,538 reports about charitable solicitation scams have been filed with the Federal Trade Commission.

“When you donate of your hard-earned money, you should feel confident that it’ll help others, not line some scammer’s pocket,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “As we near the holidays, please take care so scammers don’t exploit your goodwill.”

Here are some tips to make sure your donation helps those in need:

  • Choose charities you know and want to support, or whose work is local to your community.
  • Don’t just give to a charity because it sent you a letter, called, or emailed you – it may not be legitimate.
  • If you’re feeling pressured to give immediately, don’t. Legitimate charities won’t pressure you.
  • Ask questions about how much of your donation actually goes to help those in need. Sometimes, telephone solicitors will pocket a large percentage of a donation.
  • Research a charity before you commit to giving them money. You can determine whether charities are licensed in North Carolina and look up their annual reports on the North Carolina Secretary of State Charities & Fundraisers Search (sosnc.gov). You can also check with Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Wise Giving AllianceCharity NavigatorCharity Watch, or GuideStar, or call the North Carolina Department of Justice at 1-877-5-NOSCAM.
  • When you’re making your donation, pay with a credit card through the charity’s website or by calling a phone number you know to be legitimate. Credit cards are best for security and tax purposes, and so you can dispute the charge later if there’s a concern.

Attorney General Josh Stein Cautions North Carolinians About Charity Scams

Attorney General Josh Stein today reminded North Carolinians to be on the lookout for charity scams and shared tips to help avoid charity scammers ahead of the holiday season as part of National Charity Fraud Awareness Week. So far in 2022, more than 4,538 reports about charitable solicitation scams have been filed with the Federal Trade Commission.

“When you donate of your hard-earned money, you should feel confident that it’ll help others, not line some scammer’s pocket,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “As we near the holidays, please take care so scammers don’t exploit your goodwill.”

Here are some tips to make sure your donation helps those in need:

  • Choose charities you know and want to support, or whose work is local to your community.
  • Don’t just give to a charity because it sent you a letter, called, or emailed you – it may not be legitimate.
  • If you’re feeling pressured to give immediately, don’t. Legitimate charities won’t pressure you.
  • Ask questions about how much of your donation actually goes to help those in need. Sometimes, telephone solicitors will pocket a large percentage of a donation.
  • Research a charity before you commit to giving them money. You can determine whether charities are licensed in North Carolina and look up their annual reports on the North Carolina Secretary of State Charities & Fundraisers Search (sosnc.gov). You can also check with Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Wise Giving AllianceCharity NavigatorCharity Watch, or GuideStar, or call the North Carolina Department of Justice at 1-877-5-NOSCAM.
  • When you’re making your donation, pay with a credit card through the charity’s website or by calling a phone number you know to be legitimate. Credit cards are best for security and tax purposes, and so you can dispute the charge later if there’s a concern.

Attorney General Moody Encourages Wise Giving to Ian Recovery Efforts During International Charity Fraud Awareness Week

As Florida continues rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Ian, Attorney General Moody is recognizing International Charity Fraud Awareness Week with wise-giving tips for people donating to recovery efforts. Many Floridians may wish to contribute to the continuing recovery effort from Hurricane Ian. More than $45 million donors have given to the Florida Disaster Fund alone. Generous Floridians must stay alert, as scammers often try to exploit disasters to rip off donors.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This year’s International Charity Fraud Awareness Week comes as we continue to rebuild what Hurricane Ian destroyed. Generous Floridians and people across the country are contributing to the recovery efforts and we are so grateful for their support, but I want to remind those who want to give to watch out for charity scams and do some research before donating.”

Attorney General Moody is issuing the following tips to Floridians looking to give:

  • Research a charity before donating. Search the organization’s name with the word ‘scam’. Use CharityNavigator.org for further vetting;
  • When donating, use a credit card for extra protection;
  • Avoid aggressive solicitors and urgent deadlines;
  • Pay close attention to email addresses and website URLs—fraudulent sites will have slight changes from the legitimate sites;
  • Keep records of all donations and transactions; and
  • Do not click on any suspicious links in emails or text messages soliciting money or financial information, even if it seems like it is for a good cause.

Scammers may also target charitable organizations, especially after a disaster. A scammer could attack an organization’s cybersecurity systems in hopes of stealing donors’ identity or financial information, or may create an imposter organization that poaches donors from the true charity.

Florida charitable organizations can help prevent charity fraud by:

  • Investing in trusted cybersecurity systems and providing cybersecurity training for all employees;
  • Reviewing payment processing systems to double-check that it follows industry standards; and
  • Keeping all software up to date.

For additional information and tips for donating safely, check out Attorney General Moody’s Scams at a Glance: Charity Scams. To view, click here.