Consumer Watch with Candice Evans: Be on alert to avoid scammers this festive season

As the festive season unfolds, the spirit of giving comes alive, prompting many of us to extend a helping hand to our community through charitable donations. Before opening your wallet to support a cause close to your heart, it’s important to watch out for scams and ask questions to find out if your full donation will be passed on. Scammers may pose as a real charity or a cause that appeals to consumers, while third-party collectors usually receive a fee for every donation they secure. Online fundraising platforms may also charge a fee for their services, which in some cases can significantly affect the value of your donation. Whether you’re approached at your doorstep, in a shopping centre, or over the phone, ask the collector if they are from the licensed charity itself and will receive your donation in full, or through a third-party collector who is likely to take a fee. Another benefit of dealing directly with your chosen charity, rather than through third-party collectors, is you avoid exposing your personal or financial details to an additional source. Protecting your information as much as possible during this time of frequent data breaches will go a long way to stopping it falling into the wrong hands. According to national ScamWatch figures, Australians lost $418,132 to fake charity scams in 2022, up 121 per cent on losses from 2021. Scammers may seek to target victims via unsolicited emails, text messages and social media posts, so the best advice is to “practise the pause” — avoid clicking on any links and opt for safer methods, such as finding the charity’s official website through a search engine or the charity register. For face-to-face collections, legitimate representatives should carry an identity badge or document naming the charity and displaying the WA licence number. They must provide a receipt containing this information, and any cash collection boxes should be securely sealed. To verify the legitimacy of a charity or not-for-profit organisation, consult the licensed charity register on our website at www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au. The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission also maintains a public register, providing official websites and contact details for all registered charities in Australia. Candice Evans is the senior regional officer for Consumer Protection in the Mid West and Murchison