Giving Tuesday Promotes "Radical Generosity" to Nonprofits Worldwide; Local Agency Offers Safety Tips Before Donating12/02/2025Supporting nonprofit organizations everywhere with your donations, time, skills, and goods is the theme of Giving Tuesday, which is today. The global generosity movement is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving with acts of kindness ranging from local community efforts to global initiatives. In 2024, nonprofit donations in the U.S. alone on Giving Tuesday totaled a record-breaking $3.6 billion, according to Giving Tuesday’s Data Commons.If you plan on giving generously, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions reminds you to use caution since scammers may be looking to take advantage of kind hearts. The agency shares the following tips with you:· Research before you give: Search the charity's name online alongside terms like "scam," "complaint," or "review." Be cautious of organizations with names that sound similar, but are not identical, to well-known charities.· Verify the organization: Use trusted resources such as the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, CharityWatch, the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, or the Office of the Ohio Attorney General to confirm a charity’s legitimacy and tax-exempt status.· Watch for payment red flags: Legitimate charities will not ask for donations via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. These are common methods used by scammers because the funds are difficult to track and recover.· Secure your payment: Whenever possible, donate via credit card or check, as these methods leave a paper trail and offer better fraud protection. Make sure online donation pages are secure by looking for "https" in the web address.· Don't trust Caller ID: Technology allows scammers to "spoof" phone numbers, making calls appear to come from a local area code or a specific organization. If you receive an unsolicited call, hang up and contact the charity directly through the contact information found on their official website.