Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Scammers impersonate charities like CAWS on platforms, intercepting potential donations.
- Imposters create similar accounts with slight name changes, misleading donors.
- Organizations urge donors to verify accounts to ensure funds reach intended recipients.
SALT LAKE CITY — When animal shelters fill up, volunteer organizations like Community Animal Welfare Society, more commonly known as CAWS, often step in.
"We take in animals that may not do as well in shelters," CAWS board chair Di Lewis explained. "These are either because they're susceptible to disease, they're more anxious, that kind of thing."
At times, the nonprofit that depends on volunteer fosters across the Wasatch Front may ask for help when they have animals with major medical issues. As it did so recently, Lewis says the organization noticed something concerning. As some donors searched for the official CAWS Venmo account, an imposter showed up as well, using the CAWS name logo and name, with an extra "S" at the end.
"It's really frustrating," Lewis said. "As a nonprofit and especially working in animal welfare, there's a lot of trust that you have to build with people to make sure that they feel like you're using their money for a good cause."
Evergreen Animal Rescue, based in Sanpete County, also noticed a similar tactic apparently targeting its donors. The organization is posting a warning on its Facebook page. Imposter charities schemes are not new and frequently pop up on multiple platforms. There are multiple signs and red flags that donors can look out for. Ultimately, donors may need to double check with their charities to make sure their money is going where it is intended.
"We just want to make sure that other people are aware of that happening as well as other nonprofits," Lewis said. "And make sure that they really keep a close eye on what other accounts might be popping up when they search when people search their names on Venmo."
Many organizations will also show up as confirmed charities on services like Venmo and PayPal. Lewis adds that fundraising is already hard enough without scammers trying to steal from good causes.
"We're in a really difficult fundraising environment. Times are tight for everyone," Lewis said. "To know that somebody is preying on people's trust, preying on their goodwill and taking money that they were willing to give to us and just taking it as a scam is deeply frustrating."
