The New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) is emphasizing the work of its Charities Unit during Charity Fraud Awareness Week, which runs from December 8 to 12. This period is significant as many individuals are inspired to donate to non-profit causes across the country. The NMDOJ encourages residents to be vigilant against scams and advises thorough research on charities before making donations.
Attorney General Raúl Torrez said, "In a time of year when so many New Mexicans are looking to share their generosity with charitable organizations that serve our communities, we want to make sure that they have the resources to recognize scams and give safely." He noted that scams tend to increase during this season, with scammers aiming to exploit community generosity. The Attorney General's office provides tools for identifying scams and screening charities for safe giving.
To identify potential scams, the NMDOJ warns against requests for payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or transfer apps like Venmo or Zelle. Additionally, if there is an attempt to create urgency in donating quickly, it may be a scam. It is also recommended to verify email addresses soliciting funds by checking if they match the organization's website.
The NMDOJ monitors compliance with the Charitable Solicitations Act through the New Mexico Charitable Organization Registration Online System (NM-COROS). Information about registered charities is publicly accessible on their website at NMDOJ.gov/Charities. Residents can check if an organization is registered and compliant by visiting this site.
For further research on charities, resources such as GuideStar.org, FTC.gov, and IRS.gov are suggested. For more information or complaints regarding charity fraud, visit NMDOJ.gov or email charity.registrar@nmag.gov.
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