The holidays are supposed to be a season of generosity, family and giving back. For many retirees, October through December is the time to support causes close to their hearts, whether it's helping veterans, feeding families or donating to disaster relief. But there's a darker side to this generosity. Scammers know that retirees are among the most generous members of our communities, and they exploit that kindness to line their own pockets.
Millions of dollars are stolen through fake "charities" that pop up just before the holidays. Their calls, letters and emails look legitimate, but the money never reaches those in need. Instead, it funds criminals who are ready to strike again.
Here's what every retiree (and their loved ones) should know about holiday charity scams and how to protect their money, identity and peace of mind.
HOW RETIREES CAN STOP FAKE DEBT COLLECTOR SCAMS
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Retirees often give more generously than other groups. Scammers know this, and they know how to tailor their pitch.
When you combine generosity with publicly available data, scammers see retirees as the "perfect donors."
HOW SCAMMERS TARGET YOU EVEN WITHOUT SOCIAL MEDIA
How do you know if a charity request is real or just a scam dressed up for the holidays? Look for these warning signs:
Here's how to protect yourself while still supporting the causes that matter to you:
REMOVE YOUR DATA TO PROTECT YOUR RETIREMENT FROM SCAMMERS
Even if the charity itself is real, you need to protect how you give:
Here's something most people don't realize: many charity scams start with data brokers. These companies collect your personal details, such as age, phone number, donation history and even religious or political leanings, and sell them to anyone who asks. That means fraudsters can buy a ready-made list of "generous retirees who donate to veterans' causes" and start calling immediately. The more information out there about you, the more personalized and convincing scam calls become. That's why removing your data from broker sites is one of the most powerful defenses available to you.
Manually contacting hundreds of data brokers is a never-ending task. Each one has its own forms, emails, and hoops to jump through, and many will re-add you months later. That's where a data removal service comes in. They automatically reach out to data brokers on your behalf, demand the removal of your personal info and keep following up so it doesn't creep back online.
While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
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HOW SCAMMERS EXPLOIT YOUR DATA FOR 'PRE-APPROVED' RETIREMENT SCAMS
The holidays should be about joy, generosity and giving back, not about lining the pockets of fraudsters. By spotting the red flags of fake charities, double-checking where your money goes and removing your personal information from online databases, you can keep your donations safe and make sure they reach the people who truly need them. Remember: protecting your generosity is just as important as sharing it.
Have you ever been contacted by a fake charity during the holidays? What tipped you off? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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