Giving Tuesday 2025: Tips for Donating and Avoiding Scams

By Mandy Taheri

Politics and Culture Reporter

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Giving Tuesday inspires millions to donate to charitable causes, but it also arrives as scammers ramp up efforts to exploit holiday generosity and divert money to fake campaigns.

Why It Matters

Giving Tuesday is a global movement created in 2012 in an effort to establish a “day that encourages people to do good.” The day is widely celebrated by nonprofits and charities, encouraging people to contribute to their causes. It takes place on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, which this year is on December 2, right on the heels of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Last year, Giving Tuesday Data Commons estimated that $3.6 billion was donated among numerous campaigns in the United States, with over 36 million people participating.

At the same time, the year-end giving season overlaps with a holiday-season fraud, including charity and donation scams.

What To Know

The global Giving Tuesday movement mobilizes millions of people and sparks a major surge in donations and volunteering, with many nonprofits boosted by matching campaigns from companies, foundations and individual donors that help multiply gifts further.

In addition to financial donations, people also participate by hosting food drives, volunteering at shelters, or giving blood.

Donors should know explicitly where their money is going.

“In 2024, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received more than 4,500 complaints reporting approximately $96 million in losses to fraudulent charities, crowdfunding accounts, and disaster relief campaigns,” the FBI reported in January.

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Officials recommend confirming a charity’s name, researching the group and checking independent ratings before giving. Sites such as Charity Navigator, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, CharityWatch and GuideStar can help verify that an organization is legitimate and often provide financial and accountability reports.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also has a search tool for donors to verify if an organization is genuinely tax-exempt.

In general, scammers often try to rush individuals to quickly get them swept up into sending money. Legitimate charities will allow people to take their time on their decision and answer questions as to where the funds are going. The 2025 AARP Holiday Shopping and Scams Report finds that 89 percent of U.S. adults have experienced at least one scam, highlighting the overwhelming prevalence of them during the holiday season.

The payment method can also be a red flag. Experts urge donors to avoid gift cards, wire transfers and cash apps, since those payments are hard to trace and even harder to recover.

If someone does fall victim to a scam, they should report it immediately to the FBI's IC3 at www.ic3.gov.

What People Are Saying

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a November 25 press release: “While I applaud Arizonans willing to donate to charities at this time of the year, it is important to remember that there are scammers trying to take advantage of your good will. Taking a few precautions on the front end can ensure that donations serve a charitable good, instead of lining the pockets of scammers.”

The FBI Jacksonville office said in a December 2, 2024 press release: “Shoppers looking for a good deal this holiday season should also be aware of increasingly aggressive and creative online scams designed by criminals to steal money and personal information. Likewise, generous donors looking to help others in need should take steps to avoid emerging charity scams. This holiday, the FBI Jacksonville Division encourages everyone to be extra vigilant of the following schemes and red flags.”

Kathy Stokes, director of Fraud Prevention Programs, AARP Fraud Watch Network, said in a November 18 press release: “Criminals are relentless during the holidays, exploiting the many opportunities that come with a busy season — from shopping and traveling to charitable giving. Understanding how they operate is the first step toward protecting yourself and your loved ones.”

Asha Curran, Giving Tuesday’s Chief Executive Officer, said in a December 2024 press release: “Generosity isn’t just about money—it’s about connection and community. In a world that can feel increasingly divided, we’re seeing people unite through simple acts of kindness that have profound ripple effects.”