October 23, 2023 at 03:12PM
Scammers are taking advantage of the Israel-Hamas war to collect fraudulent donations by posing as legitimate charities. These scammers are using social platforms to solicit funds and are posting gory images to evoke sympathy. Fake fundraising emails are also being sent, urging people to contribute and tricking them into losing their money. Individuals should exercise caution and thoroughly research organizations before making donations. The IRS and the UK government have issued advisories on donating safely.
Summary:
Scammers are taking advantage of the Israel-Hamas war to collect donations through fake charity accounts and emails. They are using social media platforms like X, Telegram, and Instagram to list dubious cryptocurrency wallet addresses and deceive people into sending funds. These fraudulent accounts show distressing images of war victims to evoke emotions and gain credibility. Similarly, suspicious accounts claiming to support Israel and Israeli victims are also circulating. Researchers have found over 500 scam emails impersonating charities and fraudulent websites designed to deceive people into making donations. To donate safely, individuals should thoroughly research the organization, check for legitimacy documentation, and seek information on how donated funds are used. Trusted sources like the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, and Charity Watch can help verify an organization’s legitimacy. The IRS and the UK government have also issued warnings and provided guidelines on safe donation practices.