How South Carolinians Can Safe Donate & Shop Online
What you need to know:
- Research charities before donating. The SC Secretary of State’s Charities webpage is a great place to start.
- When shopping online, use websites that have a padlock icon and a URL beginning with “https:” instead of “http:”.
- Use credit cards instead of debit cards when shopping or donating, since laws limit your liability in fraudulent credit card transactions.
Last year, Americans donated an estimated $484 billion to charity, according to Indiana University’s Lily Family School of Philanthropy and the Giving USA Institute. In South Carolina, taxpayers used their 2020 Individual Income Tax returns to donate more than $600,000 to 18 charities and other organizations.
Tis the season for holiday giving, which can come in the form of donations or presents. But cyber thieves also make it the season of risk for those who shop or donate online.
Before you pull out your wallet this holiday season, the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR), the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, and the South Carolina Secretary of State’s Office offer some tips to make your giving and shopping safe and scam free.
…
