Author Archives: Business Development Rep Samantha

Love is Blind: Online Dating Scams

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Don’t get your heart broken in an online dating scam or by losing the funds in your bank account this Valentine’s Day. The idioms “love is blind” and “looking through rose-colored glasses” might sound cliché, but call attention to an important phenomenon – feelings of love can cause you to throw caution to the wind and overlook flaws in a romantic interest that you might typically not ignore. It’s harder to ignore red flags that are staring right at you, like when your romantic interest is sitting directly across from you. However, in an age where it’s increasingly common to meet your partner on any number of dating apps or websites, you might have to look for those red flags before the first date even happens. Repeatedly ignoring invitations to video chat or meet in person, or asking for money before you’ve done so, might seem like obvious red flags. Nonetheless, those rose-colored glasses can help you make an excuse for anything. Make sure you aren’t blinded by love and can determine if those “red flags” are actually a romance scam.

What is a Romance Scam?

A romance scam begins like many romantic pursuits ordinarily do in the twenty first century—you match with someone on a dating app or website, or you have a new connection waiting for you on social media. In almost all instances, they reach out to you first and express their interest in getting to know you. It’s not long before you find yourself texting them at all hours of the night or longing to hear their voice over the phone. That’s because, somehow, this person checks off every box on your list. You like a certain musician? They like that musician too. You’ve been dreaming of visiting a remote island? They are too. You start wondering where they have been all your life. Eventually, meeting them in person seems like a natural next step. Then, the excuses start to flow. They say they want to meet you, but “living on an off-shore oil rig” or “working at a military base” is getting in the way. They reassure you that they will meet you one day, but want to keep pursuing a romantic relationship online in the meantime. However, this person has no intention of building a relationship with you and is interested in one thing—your money. If they get it, they will likely disappear with your money and hopes of a relationship without a trace.

What are the Favorite Lies of Romance Scammers?

The lies a romance scammer will tell to get your money are endless. A lie might sound outrageous, but the romance scammer is a trained professional. They typically cultivate a relationship with you over weeks, months, or even years before they ask for any funds. The FTC compiled a list of romance scammers’ favorite lies to watch out for to protect your heart and money. Popular reasons to avoid meeting in real life or needing money can sound like this:

  • “I or someone close to me is sick, hurt, or in jail.”
  • “I’m in the military far away.”
  • “We’ve never met, but let’s talk about marriage.”
  • “I’m on an oil rig or ship.”
  • “I can’t afford to visit you or meet you without it.”

The FTC warns that many romance scammers might even flip it on you, offering to do you a favor. This might sound like an offer to teach you how to invest in cryptocurrency or to send you a valuable package. In both scenarios, the money you give to the romance scammer to “invest for you” or to “ship the valuable package” ends up right in their pockets.

What are Other Red Flags?

While lies are an important piece of the romance scam puzzle, the ways they would like to receive the funds complete it. If your love interest is requesting payment through uncommon methods, it is most likely a scam. The scammer will usually ask you to send cryptocurrency, gift card codes, or wire money. This is because these transactions are hard to track and do not have protections for buyers or senders in place. Another red flag is if your family and friends express concern over your new love interest. Your loved ones want nothing but the best for you, so it should sound the alarm if they express apprehension when you tell them about your online love interest and their request for funds.

How Can You Protect Yourself from Romance Scammers?

  • Never send money to your online love interest. Nobody legitimate will claim that sending cryptocurrency, gift card codes, or wiring money are the only ways you can help them. On the flip side, never trust someone who insists they can teach you how to invest or send you a valuable package to improve your financial situation. They are only looking to improve theirs.
  • Reverse image search pictures. Another cliché that applies to romance scams is, “If there’s a will, there’s a way.” Your online love interest should, at the very least – find a way to video chat if they can’t meet you in person. However, the reason they can’t video chat or meet in person is because romance scammers often use fake identities. You can reverse search profile pictures or other images they send you to see if the details they tell you about themselves are adding up.

Most importantly, the FTC encourages everyone to do their part. You can help stop romance scammers by reporting suspicious profiles or messages to the platform where you saw them. You can also report your experience directly to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Lastly, pass information regarding romance scams along to a friend. You may not have fallen victim to a romance scam, but someone you know can.

First Financial wants to help protect your personal and financial information and your heart, during the season of love. If you have any concerns or have reason to suspect that your information has fallen into the hands of a scammer, don’t hesitate to contact us at 732.312.1500 or visit us at your local branch.

Things to Do on a Budget in Monmouth & Ocean Counties this February 2025

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Love is in the air, and you might be looking for some fun ways to enjoy spending time with your loved ones this February. Although the cold might make you think twice about leaving the house, here are some free or inexpensive activities to enjoy in Monmouth and Ocean Counties all month long. 

February 1

Winter Fire & Ice Celebration (Cream Ridge) will take place at the New Egypt Flea Market on February 1st from 10am-7pm and February 2nd from 8am-4pm. You can enjoy ice sculptures and demonstrations, cozy fire pits, food trucks and wine tastings (for attendees 21+), local vendors, and more. Admission is $5 per person, and children ages 10 and under are free. To learn more about this ultimate winter celebration, click here.

February 2

Valentine’s Pop-Up Makers Market (Asbury Park) – Head over to Porta with your family and friends to enjoy a creative shopping experience from 12pm-4pm. Enjoy food and drinks while you visit the stations of various local artisans selling gifts made with love. Admission is free for all ages. You can find more information here.

February 7

Valentine’s Bazaar (Asbury Park) – Stop by Convention Hall from 3pm-8pm Friday, or 12pm-5pm Saturday, to enjoy all things love. If you are just getting started on your Valentine’s Day shopping, local and regional vendors will be selling gifts that your family, friends, or special someone will be sure to cherish. There will also be live music, food and beverages, a Valentine’s Day photo wall, a fresh flower bar, kid and pet activities, and more. Admission is free for all ages. Click here to learn more.

February 8

Galentine’s Brunch Event (Point Pleasant Beach) will be hosted by Blooms on Point Floral Boutique from 12pm to 2pm. Along with gushing over your “galentines,” you will have access to a breakfast buffet and charcuterie board, mimosa bar (BYO bubbly), custom box of assorted chocolates, and a 10-minute chair massage or reiki session. Tickets are $50 per person and must be purchased in advance online. To read more information and learn how to purchase tickets, click here.

Valentine’s Sweet Stroll (Red Bank) is just what the name suggests—an afternoon of walking downtown Red Bank to shop for sweet treats and other vendor items, and enjoy “sweet” experiences, from 11am-2pm. Downtown Red Bank encourages attendees to wear Valentine’s colors. Admission is free, and additional details are to follow. To stay up to date on the latest details, visit this webpage.

February 9

All About Kids Fair (Toms River) – If you’re looking to help the whole family escape the winter blues, join Toms River Macaroni Kids for their 9th annual fair at Ocean County Mall from 11am-2pm. Parents can meet the faces of local family-friendly businesses while the children are off enjoying activities such as face painting, crafts, character appearances, and more. The event is free for all to attend. More information can be found here.

Historic Valentines (Allentown) – Travel back in time at Historic Walnford from 1pm-3pm to discover how penmanship has changed through letters and valentines from the 18th and 19th centuries. In case any of the centuries-old penmanship inspired you, the session will end with creating a valentine or letter of your own using historically-inspired materials. The event is free for all ages, however children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Click here for more information.

Winter Fresh Farmers Market (Ocean Grove) will allow you to shop your favorite Asbury Fresh food vendors from the comfort of the warm indoors at the Jersey Shore Arts Center from 10am-1pm. Admission is free for all ages, so don’t be shy—the vendors are looking forward to saying hi and showing you what they have to offer. You can find additional information here.

February 15

Allaire Flea Market (Wall) – The Historic Village at Allaire wants to bring you out of the house with a chance to hunt for bargains from 8am-2pm. This flea market will feature vintage treasures, thrifted items, books, art work, knick knacks, and more. Admission to the flea market is $5 per person ages 12 and up, and includes free admission to the Historic Village at Allaire. Click here to find more information.

February 16

MAC’s Art of Chili Cook Off (Middletown) – Whether you love chili or love some good ol’ friendly competition, check out the Chili Cook Off at Middletown Arts Center from 12pm-2pm. The fifteen amateur and five restaurant contestants will prepare chili and battle it out for first, second, and third place prizes. Admission is $15 and includes a tasting kit to sample all of the chili and vote in the People’s Choice Award. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Singo Game Night (Manahawkin) – Unleash your inner “theater kid” at the Bay Avenue Community Center at 5pm. This game night will put you to the test by challenging you to recall all the showtunes you know. Admission is $10 per person. There will be food and drinks available for purchase. Find additional information here.

February 19

Bingo Dinner Party (Union Beach) – Dinner paired with any activity is sure to be fun, so bring your friends and family down to The Goat by David Burke, to enjoy a night of dinner and bingo. For $45 per person, you will enjoy a 3-course dinner and various rounds of bingo with prizes. Click here to reserve your spot and find out additional information.

February 22

Polar Bear Plunge (Seaside Heights) – If you’re not afraid to jump into the frigid waters of the Atlantic in the spirit of supporting the Special Olympics of New Jersey, register for the Annual Polar Bear Plunge. Registration is $25 with different fundraising tiers; however, your $25 registration fee is counted toward your fundraising goal. If plunging isn’t your speed, you can dress up, join other spectators on the boardwalk, and cheer the plungers on. Casino Pier is also offering a $30 arcade card for half off and drink specials at the Wave Bar (for those 21+) to enjoy the plunge day. Learn how to register and get ready to take the plunge here.

February 28

Family Fun Friday (Point Pleasant Beach) – When the workday is over, let the fun start at Jenkinson’s Aquarium from 5pm to 8pm. Enjoy family fun with a scavenger hunt, crafts, and a bedtime story with one of Jenkinson’s beloved animals. These activities are included in a general admission ticket, so you can visit Jenkinson’s aquatic friends between activities. Admission prices are $18 per adult (ages 12+), $12 for children ages 3-11, and children age 2 and under are free. You can buy aquarium tickets and learn more about the event here.

February is the shortest month of the year, and it is also the home stretch of the frigid winter months. We hope these activities help you find the fun and enjoy the love amidst the cold in February!

Your Utility Company or a Utility Scam?

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There isn’t a single person who wants to receive the dreaded notification that due to missing a payment, their service—whether it be electric, gas, or even cell phone, is about to be shut off. Whether you are the most organized person in the world or have a tendency to miss payments here and there, this notification would likely send you searching through your bank account statements or bills to confirm if it’s really true. However, if you have someone claiming to be employed by your utility company on the other end of the line, you may not think you have the time to sift through your own records and feel compelled to make the situation “right” then and there. With utility scams on the rise, take a moment to consider these scenarios and red flags that can alert you to a scammer pretending to be your utility company.

What a Utility Scam Looks Like

You may or may not be expecting a phone call from your utility company. If you know you missed a payment to one of your utility providers, it is that scammer’s lucky day and they have you right where they want you. On the other hand – if you haven’t recently missed a payment, it might be a little trickier for the scammer to convince you. The person on the other end of the line would typically begin by telling you that you have missed a payment, which will cause your service to be shut off if you do not render payment immediately. The person is impersonating your utility company and would have no way of knowing this, but you likely don’t know that yet. As you begin to ask for more information, they become increasingly unprofessional and agitated. They take this tone with you in an effort to scare you into paying before you can ask questions. The scammer knows that the less time you have to doubt their intentions, the better. It is common for the scammer to impose a “time limit” on receiving payment before your service is shut off, with victims of utility scams frequently reporting that scammers give them 45-minutes to one hour. They are hoping you will be eager to make a payment before your service is turned off. Once the scammer receives payment, they will send you on your way – and it could be hours, days, or weeks before you realize you have been scammed.

Red Flags

  • Uncommon Payment Methods: A common red flag associated with utility scams is the use of payment methods that are hard to track, such as reloadable cards, gift cards, wires, or cryptocurrency. Scammers want to receive money through these payment methods because they have fewer protections for buyers in place, making it hard for you to get your money back and easy for the scammers to avoid detection. It is common for scammers to demand that you go to a specific store and buy a specific gift card, so be sure to listen for this request structure if you have a potential scammer on the line. They might request that you stay on the phone with them the entire time you are making the payment to ensure you don’t call anyone for help. Always follow the status quo and second guess anyone who wants to receive payment in non-conventional ways. If your utility company has only accepted payment through card, check, or online bill pay in the past—why would they change now? Furthermore, question why a large service provider would accept a gift card or cryptocurrency as payment.
  • Sense of Urgency: The scammer will display a sense of urgency since they know that their chances of receiving payment dwindle to 0% if you get off the line. They do not want you to call back, knowing that when you hang up you might confide in someone or contact the utility company they are impersonating. If you are truly behind on paying your utility company, they are more likely to work with you in establishing a payment plan to get you back on track as opposed to threatening to immediately terminate your service.
  • Unusual Method of Communication: In the day and age where every facet of our communication is becoming increasingly digital, receiving a text from your utility provider might not sound the alarm. You might be used to receiving a text reminding you of an upcoming bill, or a text confirming your bill was paid. However, be weary of someone claiming to be a representative that is tasked with collecting payment from you. Initiating payment over text is not safe, and a real utility company would not expect you to authorize a payment over text. When in doubt, call the number that you know belongs to the utility company and ask if they have recently initiated communication with you.

What to Do if You Encounter a Utility Scam

  • If You’ve Sent Payment to a Scammer: Unfortunately, scammers often have you make payments in ways that are nearly impossible to get refunded. Even if the situation feels hopeless, there are resources to help those who have sent payment to a scammer. The FTC’s page If You Paid a Scammer is dedicated to showing you the steps to take to get your money back, depending on the method you used to pay.
  • If You Want to Report Contact with a Fake Utility Company: You should first reach out to your utility company to alert them to the fact that a person or group is impersonating them. Obtain the contact method you use to reach them, such as a customer service phone number or email address, from a trusted source. You should then report it to the FTC at ftc.gov and to your state attorney general. Lastly, spread the word—if it happened to you, it could easily happen to someone you know.

First Financial wants to help you safeguard your personal and financial information. If you have any concerns or have reason to suspect that your sensitive information has been compromised, don’t hesitate to contact us at 732.312.1500 or visit us at your local branch.

The Digital Economy and the Reinvention of Side Hustles

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Side hustles existed long before the COVID-19 pandemic, typically born out of a need to supplement income as opposed to pursue a passion that previously felt out of reach. Before the emergence of rideshare or grocery delivery platforms, one might have supplemented their income by reselling used items at a garage sale or offering their lawnmowing or pool cleaning services to a small circle of friends or neighbors. The pandemic, coinciding with the growth of platform-centered businesses, created the perfect storm needed to not only propel side hustles back into the spotlight – but shine them in a new light. Not only could you pursue something you are genuinely passionate about, you could also make some money doing it. Although the pandemic is thankfully behind us, one thing remains certain — side hustles are here to stay, and they look much different than ever before.

What is a Side Hustle?

A side hustle is generally viewed as a means of generating extra income outside of your primary job. However, a more modern definition suggests that in addition to that – a side hustle provides flexibility and the pursuit of personal passions. For some, flexibility and pursuit of passion might be immeasurable in comparison to supplementary income — causing side hustles to be pursued out of choice rather than necessity.

And Why are They so Popular?

Many factors have come into play to increase the popularity of side hustles among the general population, such as:

  • Digital Economy and Technological Growth: The definition of digital economy is constantly evolving, but generally refers to humans and technology working together to generate business. For example, ridesharing apps like Uber or Lyft have created a market of people willing to provide an on-demand car service to consumers and becoming connected via an app.
  • Generational and Attitude Shifts: Young workers such as those in Gen Z, are one of the few generations that have increasingly experienced an entirely remote or hybrid school and work environment. Additionally, due to recent economic conditions – many young workers have been faced with a difficult introduction to the job market and have been turning to dynamic workplaces to meet their needs. Lastly, younger generations especially tend to put a greater emphasis on well-being and mental health, which might be better afforded by a side hustle if done the right way.
  • Cost of Living: Let’s face it — living is more expensive than ever before. Especially for those living paycheck to paycheck, a side hustle might be an attractive option to bridge the gap between saving for what you need and saving for what you really want.
  • Identity Builder: Side hustles can act like a tattoo of sorts — offering onlookers an insight into one’s interests and passions. It’s a great conversation starter, too.

2025’s Most Popular Side Hustles

The rapidly growing and advancing of technology and digitization has created many opportunities for individuals looking to bring their passions to the right market. Here are some popular side hustles worth considering if you have skills or passions you’re looking to capitalize on in the new year:

  • Freelancing: Freelancing refers to offering your work or services on a per-job or per-task basis, allowing you to potentially work on multiple projects for multiple clients. Whether you have a knack for writing or a passion for computer code, there could be someone out there requiring your services. Some popular platforms to connect freelancers with clients are Freelancer and Upwork.
  • Platform-Based: There has been a rise in platforms that connect consumers with people offering on-demand services, such as Uber or Lyft for ride sharing, DoorDash or GrubHub for food delivery, and Instacart for grocery transport. There’s even a platform called Rover for those animal-lovers who want to pet sit or walk for fun, and earn a little money while doing it. These platforms afford you flexibility when you work by allowing you to create your own schedule. If providing goods to people is more your thing — Etsy and eBay are platforms that allow you to sell various new, used, or handcrafted items to people around the globe.
  • Content Creation: Many individuals have created a side hustle out of posting relatable content on various digital platforms. You have to find your niche — what type of content you would like to provide your potential audience with. Whether you would like to post relatable content about your family or relationship, or tell the world all the fun facts you have up your sleeve, someone might want to watch your content and certain platforms will pay you to post it. Creating content can help you form partnerships with your favorite brands, too — if they want you to represent their product or service.
  • Affiliate Marketing: Affiliate marketing typically refers to content creators and brands working together to promote products or services. These brands gain access to a representative who promotes their product or service to an audience of people willing to listen. An individual can get paid for affiliate marketing in various ways, one of which is when you refer a member of your audience to the brand you are promoting and it leads to a sale. There are many affiliate programs out there — you just have to do your research and make sure it’s right for you!

First Financial is here to help if you are looking to take your passion-project turned side hustle to the next level. Whether you’re looking to start with the basics, or your business has become more established over the years and you’d like to learn more about financing with a Business Loan – we’re here to support your business every step of the way. If you’re ready to take the next step, don’t hesitate to contact business@firstffcu.com, visit us at a local branch, or call 732.312.1500.

Things to Do on a Budget in Monmouth & Ocean Counties this January 2025

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On behalf of the team at First Financial, we want to wish you and your loved ones a Happy New Year. We hope you take some time to unwind and reward yourself for making it through another busy holiday season with these free or inexpensive activities happening throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties this January.

January 3

LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival (Freehold) – If you’re looking for a last-minute way to enjoy the end of the holiday season, LuminoCity’s Holiday Lights Festival will be at Freehold Raceway Mall from 4:30pm-10:30pm through January 5th. As the sun sets, you can walk through a whimsical holiday light display inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Ticket prices vary by date and time slot, along with age group of the participant. For more information and to reserve your tickets, click here and scroll down to “Winter Festival New Jersey.”

January 5

Fun Bags Cornhole Goes Country (Toms River) – Bring your friends and family down to Fun Bags Cornhole Lounge for a night of cornhole and line dancing from 6pm-9pm. Beginners are welcome, with beginner line dancing lessons starting at 6pm. Tickets are $12 per person in advance of the event, and $13 per person at the door. The event is BYOB for anyone ages 21 or older. Click here to read more information and reserve your tickets.

Winter Hootenanny in the Pines (Waretown) – Albert Music Hall will be welcoming the new year in a musical fashion beginning at 2pm. The lineup features six bands that are set to perform over the course of the afternoon. There will also be a food booth, gift shop, 50/50 drawing, and more. Tickets are $10 for adults and $1 for children under age 12. Please be advised that Albert Music Hall is a cash only venue. You can find more information here.

January 12

Parlor Games for Wintry Weather (Holmdel) – Learn how to elevate your next game night with some oldie-but-goodie games, including backgammon, checkers, and dominoes—and some 19th century favorites, too—at Historic Longstreet Farm from 12pm-2:30pm. The event is free for all to attend. For more information, click here and scroll to the ‘Upcoming Free Events’ section.

January 13

Pine Barren Bonfires (Freehold) – Break out your winter coat and enjoy a night under the stars at Turkey Swamp Park from 6pm-8pm. The full moon will light up the park as you sit around the bonfire playing games and making s’mores. The cost is $15 per family of four, and it is kindly requested that payment is made with cash or check. More information can be found here.

January 16

Monmouth Park Corporate Center Pop-Up (West Long Branch) – Whether you’re looking to get out of the office or explore what local vendors have to offer, Building A at the Monmouth Park Corporate Center transforms into a bustling market the third Thursday of every month from 11am-4pm. With a variety of vendors selling everything from sweet treats to housewarming gifts, and free admission – you can’t go wrong. You can find more information here.

January 18

Ladacin Plunge (Manasquan) – If you missed an opportunity to welcome in the new year by plunging into frigid waters, you have another chance at Ladacin’s Plunge – beginning at 10:30am. Starting at Leggett’s Sand Bar & Restaurant, there will be a procession to Manasquan Main Beach and a plunge into the icy cold waters of the Atlantic, followed by a buffet at Leggett’s. Registration is $25 and can be done before or the day-of the event. You can learn more here.

Penguin Awareness Day at Jenkinson’s Aquarium (Point Pleasant Beach) is a day dedicated to celebrating the world’s penguins. Between 11am-4pm, your general admission ticket includes crafts, activities, and keeper chats that will teach you about all the 18 species of penguins. Tickets are $12 for children ages 3-12 and $18 for those ages 12 and older, while children under 2 are free. Click here for more information.

January 24

Friday Night Oldies (New Egypt) – If you’re looking to get groovy on a Friday night, look no further than Oldies Night at Laurita Winery from 7pm-10pm. The Strictly 60s Band will take you on a trip down memory lane with sounds of the 60s, and you can enjoy the tunes over dinner and wine (for those over 21 years of age). Tickets are $15 for those looking to enjoy the music, and there are appetizers, dinner, and dessert that can be purchased for an additional charge. To view the menu and purchase tickets, click here.

January 25

Showcase @ The Hotel: Dance Party (Freehold) – Bring the dancer in your life to the American Hotel for a night of dancing from 7:30pm-10:30pm. This fundraiser benefits Downtown Freehold directly to keep the town beautiful and bring members of the community together through free events. Pre-sale standard tickets are $25 per person with a two-item purchase, and pre-sale VIP tickets are $35 per person with a two-item purchase. You can learn more about this dance party that’s sure to get you up on your feet here.

January 26

Hot Cocoa Tours (Holmdel) – If you and your plus-one can brave the crisp winter air, head down to Historic Longstreet Farm from 10am-11:30am for a look into 19th-century farm life. Your morning will begin with a guided tour of the farm and end with hot cocoa and a winter treat in the kitchen. The cost is $10 per person, and children ages 3 and under are free to come along. For more information, click here and scroll to the ‘Upcoming Free Events’ section.

The beginning of January signals that the days start getting longer, the sun starts shining longer, and a new year full of opportunities is here. We hope you, your friends, and your family find ways to enjoy the best parts of January. Happy new year!

It’s a Scammer’s Wonderland: Holiday Charity Scams

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With everything that has happened over the course of the year, there are no shortage of causes that will ask for your help this holiday season. Unfortunately, scammers are not concerned about getting on Santa’s “Nice List,” and are instead taking advantage of people looking to spread holiday cheer to those who need it the most. Let’s break down some common charity scams and red flags to look out for – to ensure scammers don’t dull your holiday spirit this year.

Common Holiday Charity Scams

  1. Back to the Basics—Phone Calls and Texts: Holiday charity scams often begin with an unsolicited phone call or text message, where the individual on the other end of the conversation claims to be from a charity. Don’t throw caution to the wind—while they may claim to come from a real and reputable organization, there are many words that, when strung together (like ‘project’ and ‘love,’ for example), sound like the name of a real charity aiming to do good. The scammer will typically make vague and sentimental claims but cannot seem to elaborate on the charity’s mission or how your donation will be used. They might even begin the conversation by trying to convince you that you’ve donated to them before by sending you a “Thank You” text or email, which might encourage you to donate to them “again.” The caller ID might even appear to be from your local area code or a specific charity, but this is something a scammer can easily spoof. Once they convince you to divulge your information, they will use your funds for anything but the cause they claim you will be supporting. Be wary of interacting with supposed “charities” over phone call or text message, especially if you have never heard of them before.
  2. Crowdfunding, Social Media, and Fundraising Platforms: Crowdfunding involves raising funds online person-to-person, and there are many platforms that allow just about anyone to create campaigns to benefit a specific cause—think GoFundMe. Crowdfunding campaigns are often set up by an organizer to benefit an intended party, whether that is an individual, family, those impacted by a specific event, or even a business. Once people donate to a crowdfunding campaign, it is up to the organizer to disburse the funds to the intended recipient or cause. However, an organizer who is looking to scam others – might use stolen stories or images they found on the internet to corroborate the purpose of the campaign, or not have any intentions of forwarding the funds to the intended party. Make sure to research the organizer of the campaign, the purpose of the campaign, and the intended use of the funds before giving up your personal and financial information. You can also search the images or stories used to ensure they haven’t popped up on crowdfunding platforms in the past.

Tips to Spot Holiday Charity Scams

Although you can’t entirely prevent unsolicited contact from scammers, there are many red flags to be aware of that can signal you’re being taken for a ride.

  1. Sense of Urgency: Fraudsters may convey a sense of urgency to rush you into making a donation or pressure you into falling for their scam. This can sound like a false deadline to donate that is quickly approaching or attempting to guilt you into donating to the cause. A real charity would let their purpose and digital footprint do the talking and not feel compelled to pressure you or rush you to donate.
  2. Think Before You Pay: As with many other scams, the use of unconventional payment methods are red flags for potentially fraudulent activity. A legitimate charity would likely collect donations via check or credit card—not cryptocurrency, a gift card, or by wiring money. A good practice is double checking your bank statements after you donate to a charity to ensure you are only charged for the amount and frequency you authorized.
  3. Spelling and Grammar Mistakes: While this pertains to text messages, emails, and crowdfunding platforms, it is important to note—be mindful of spelling errors or grammatical errors in communications from the charity or crowdfunding campaign organizer. A real charity or organization likely does a twice-over on all communications, as this is foundational to their reputation and how they are perceived by the public. Although it’s easy to brush off as a mistake, these are not the mistakes legitimate charities or organizations typically make.

Want to Donate to a Real Charity this Holiday Season?

It’s worth going the extra mile to ensure you are donating to the cause you care about, especially since donating often involves divulging your personal and financial information. The FTC’s page Donating Safely and Avoiding Scams is a great hub of information and resources that can help you research charities and steer clear of charity scams. Although it might feel awkward asking for a few minutes to research before you donate to a cause, especially if you have someone on the other end of the line – a real charity will allow you to take all the time you need to leave you feeling empowered and confident in donating to their cause. Using research tools like BBB Wise Giving Alliance or Charity Navigator can save you the headache of being left wondering if you donated to a fraudulent person or scheme. Additionally, if anything about your interaction seems off-putting, don’t hesitate to start from scratch and contact the organization or charity directly from contact information found through a trusted source.

First Financial is here to help you make sure your donations end up in the hands of those who need it the most. If you are worried your personal or financial information has gotten into the hands of ill-intended parties, don’t hesitate to contact us at 732.312.1500 or visit us at your local branch.