Even in the AEC industry, where precision and ethics matter daily, generosity can be a double-edged sword—especially during the holidays. The season brings out the best in engineering firms looking to give back to Salt Lake City, but unfortunately, it also brings out the worst in scammers.
Several years ago, a telefunding operation made 1.3 billion deceptive donation calls, swindling over $110 million from businesses and individuals (FTC). More recently, researchers at Cornell University identified hundreds of scam campaigns posing as fundraisers on platforms like Facebook, X, and Instagram.
For engineering firms, the risk goes beyond financial loss. A fraudulent donation—even by an employee acting on your behalf—can tie your brand to unethical causes and damage hard-earned client trust.
Here’s how engineering leaders in Salt Lake City can protect their reputation and their wallets with smarter vetting, scam awareness, and reliable cybersecurity support from an IT provider who understands your industry.
How To Vet A Fundraiser Before Donating
Engineering firms run on logic and structure—your giving should, too. Before donating, ensure the fundraiser clearly answers:
- Who is organizing this, and how are they connected to the recipient?
- How will the funds be used? Are there deadlines or deliverables?
- Who controls the funds, and is there a clear, transparent withdrawal plan?
- Do people in the recipient’s community (friends, vendors, colleagues) validate the fundraiser?
If the answers aren’t specific and verifiable, that’s your cue to dig deeper.
Red Flags That Signal Donation Scams
Scammers have gotten savvy. Some of the most common red flags engineering teams should watch for include:
- No mention of where funds will go or how they will be tracked
- Copy-pasted stories or images lifted from other campaigns
- Emotional overdrive without technical backing or verification
- Vague organizers with no legitimate contact information
If you spot more than one of these, don’t donate and report the campaign to the platform.
Vetting Registered Charities (Beyond GoFundMe)
Even official nonprofits can have shady records. Here's what engineering firms should check before issuing corporate donations:
- Look for detailed financial reports and a breakdown of spending (programs vs. admin overhead)
- Search for transparency about who runs the organization and how money flows
- Google the charity name along with terms like “scam,” “complaints,” or “reviews”
Scammer Tactics That Target Engineering Firms
While these scams may start with charity, they often mimic the same social engineering tactics seen in business email compromise and phishing attempts. Watch out for:
- High-pressure tactics to donate immediately via gift card or crypto
- Fake invoice attachments pretending to be "receipts"
- Unsecure websites (missing HTTPS) collecting payment info
- Emails claiming you or your company "already pledged"
These are all tactics we've seen spill over into fraud attempts targeting Revit licenses, Autodesk renewals, or domain renewals for engineering firms.
Why This Matters for Salt Lake City Engineering Firms
Nathan Pierce, the operations lead at a 40-person civil engineering firm in Sugar House, said it best: "We’re not just giving to give—we’re building community relationships that reflect our values."
Whether your firm donates to STEM nonprofits, funds a local internship program, or just buys coats for a school, public trust matters. A scam tied to your name erodes the confidence of clients, partners, and city officials alike.
Plus, donation scams often open the door to deeper attacks. Teaching your team how to vet fundraisers improves their awareness of phishing attempts, spoofed vendor requests, and wire fraud—critical components of managed IT services for Salt Lake City engineering firms.
How To Protect Your Firm (And Your Generosity)
- Internal Donation Policy: Set clear rules around when, how, and where donations are made. Use a tiered approval system.
- Staff Awareness Training: Make sure your team knows how to spot fake fundraisers and phishing-style donation scams.
- Use Official Channels Only: No social media donation links. No email pledges. Always give through the official website.
- Double-Check Public Giving: Before posting about a donation, verify the charity and its track record.
- Follow Up: Confirm that your donation was used as promised. Reputable organizations provide reports or thank-you letters.
Keep Your Holidays Generous—Not Risky
Your engineering firm should be able to give confidently—not second-guess every outreach. Smarter giving policies and employee education can help you protect both your community and your company.
Need to train your staff on how to spot scams, from fake fundraisers to wire fraud attempts disguised as subcontractor invoices?
Click here to schedule your free Network Assessment with Qual IT.
Because the best gift your Salt Lake City engineering firm can give this year is secure, smart generosity backed by the right IT support.
