A NEIGHBOR has revealed she has become the latest victim of a charity scam.

A woman from Maryland thought she was doing the right thing by giving $40 to a person who was fundraising around the neighborhood, however, she quickly found out it was a lie.

The scammer had used an old campaign to trick the woman into getting her money, according to Angie Barnett, CEO of the Better Business Bureau, who spoke to the local ABC affiliate WMAR-TV.

By using a familiar charity they were able to look legitimate to unsuspecting victims.

“…they just pocketed all the money that was given to them,” she claimed.

After donating to the cause, the woman would find the real campaign online, which ended in 2018.

The CEO recommends avoiding cash when dealing with different organizations.

“Use a credit card so you can dispute the charges if you find the funds are in the wrong hands,” Barnett said.

Charity fraud has been prevalent in recent years with consumers losing $1.6 billion in 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Victims of the scam lost a median amount of around $1,000.

“A bad guy will take a cause ‘du jour’ and build something around donating to firemen, or police, or First Amendment rights or something along those lines and just robocall, or try to get as many people as they can on the line,” said supervisory special agent Keith Custer.

Charity fraud scams can appear both in person as well as through social media, crowdfunding platforms, and cold calls.

The best way to protect yourself is to do your research. People can use websites like  Charity Navigator, Guidestar, and BBB Wise Giving Alliance to get a background check on any organization.

The FBI also recommends sticking to established charities when choosing to donate.

Also, be wary of organizations that prefer you not to use credit cards, and instead ask for cash, gift cards, or wire transfers.