ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – It’s not uncommon to see people or organizations – from animal rescues to disaster victims – asking for donation on social media, but the Better Business Bureau (BBB) said scammers are creating fake videos to pull at your heartstrings and your wallet.
The BBB is seeing an uptick in sad social scams on TikTok and Instagram where bad actors are using other peoples’ video, or even AI, to share sad stories and ask for money.
Some start with captions like “please stay 10 seconds” to grab your urgent attention.
One report on the BBB’s scam tracker mentioned a TikTok account “of a little old man and his wife who ‘make cat toys to support their failing cat shelter’… when you order the toy to support them nothing ever gets sent to you they just take your money…”
Atlanta News First Investigates found several accounts and videos using the same elderly man claiming to sell items to “save” his cat shelter, a cow shelter, church, and more.
“In the videos, they’re not really saying what the name of the charity is or the shelter,” said BBB spokesperson Taelore Hicks. “There’s just lack of information, but they’re trying to pull out your heart strings.”
The BBB also warns the account will provide a link to donate that will direct you to a website to make a purchase, but it will be unclear if the money is going to a charity.
BBB tips to avoid donation scams
- Only do business with companies you know and trust. If you want to purchase a product or donate, do so through a BBB Accredited business or charity. If you want to buy something from a company you aren’t familiar with, do plenty of research first. Look up the company name, website, and contact information. Read reviews on BBB.org and do a general search with the company’s name and the word “scam.” Don’t skip this step, even if you’re excited about the product. It’s the best way to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft.
- Don’t give in to videos that tug at your heartstrings. If you see one of these videos with kittens, puppies, or cows and want to make a purchase to support the cause, resist the urge to do so right away, even if the video relays a sense of urgency. Intimidation and sympathy tactics are often used by scammers and are a red flag.
- Check to see if the charity is trustworthy by visiting Give.org, the website of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. For a charity to receive accreditation, it must meet 20 BBB Standards of Accountability that cover everything from governance to fundraising. If the organization does not appear on Give.org, use this form to request that a report be developed.
- Give locally. Consider local animal shelters in your area, as it might be easier to find out more about them.
- Verify if the charity is registered. About 40 states require soliciting charities to register with the applicable state government agency. Usually, this is a division of the office of the Attorney General or the secretary of state.
In Georgia, you can look up a charity on the Secretary of State’s website.
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