Even in the most ethical of professions, generosity can become a liability when scammers target your good intentions. And during the holidays, when donations increase and attention spans shrink, law firms in Salt Lake City are especially vulnerable.
A few years ago, federal investigators uncovered a massive telefunding scam involving over 1.3 billion deceptive donation calls and more than $110 million stolen from well-meaning donors (FTC). And in 2025, Cornell University flagged hundreds of fake fundraisers on platforms like Facebook and Instagram—many of which appeared completely legitimate.
For law firms, the risk goes far beyond losing money. A bad donation tied to your firm's name can tarnish your reputation, raise questions about your due diligence, and fracture the trust you’ve spent years building with clients, courts, and the community.
Here's how to protect your team, your brand, and your charitable efforts during the holiday season with the help of smarter vetting, cyber awareness, and IT security solutions built for Salt Lake City legal practices.
How To Vet a Fundraiser Before Your Law Firm Donates
Before your firm gives—even to what looks like a well-meaning cause—make sure these boxes are checked:
- Who is organizing the fundraiser? Are they directly connected to the beneficiary?
- How will the funds be used, and over what timeline?
- Is there transparency around withdrawal control and reporting?
- Has the fundraiser been publicly endorsed by the recipient or their verified family/friends?
If anything feels vague, inconsistent, or evasive, stop. Law firms have a higher standard of scrutiny—use it.
Scam Red Flags Every Legal Team Should Recognize
If your team sees any of the following, it’s time to hit pause:
- Misleading or unverifiable info on the campaign page
- Delayed disbursement of funds
- Copied photos or language from other campaigns
- Overly emotional stories with no backing details or documentation
Fraudsters prey on urgency. Your attorneys are trained to ask questions—apply that instinct here, too.
Not All Charities Are Safe Bets – Even the "Real" Ones
Even registered nonprofits can engage in shady practices. Before making firmwide contributions:
- Review annual reports and financial disclosures
- Look for specific breakdowns of how donations are used
- Run the charity’s name through search engines with keywords like “scam,” “fraud,” or “complaints”
Remember: Charitable giving is a form of public representation. A lack of due diligence here can lead to reputational and even ethical consequences.
Tactics Scammers Use (That Mirror Cyberattacks)
Scammers love overlap—and the tactics they use in donation fraud often mimic what we see in phishing or wire fraud attempts. Be on the lookout for:
- Requests to donate via gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers
- Links to sites that lack HTTPS encryption
- Messages implying prior commitments or urgent obligations
- Pressure to donate immediately, without time for review
These are the same social engineering tactics used in law firm-targeted BEC attacks. Your IT provider should be helping your staff recognize these patterns—whether they show up in email or as a donation request.
Why Law Firms in Salt Lake City Must Be Extra Cautious
You don’t just donate as individuals—you donate as a brand. Whether you’re sponsoring a legal aid event or supporting a staff member’s cause, your firm's name is tied to that gift.
If a paralegal shares a fake charity link from their work email—or your office posts support for a fraudulent nonprofit on LinkedIn—that’s more than a mistake. That’s a trust violation.
How To Protect Your Law Firm While Giving Generously
- Define Your Giving Policy
Create a clear internal process for vetting and approving charitable donations. Require managing partner approval for public donations. - Train Your Team
Educate staff on how charity scams work—just like you would with phishing or wire fraud. Use real examples. - Use Trusted Channels Only
Don’t donate through social media links or third-party fundraising platforms. Stick to official websites of known organizations. - Double-Check Public Giving
Before you publicize your giving, triple-check that the organization is legitimate and active. - Monitor After You Give
Reputable charities will publish updates. If they disappear after the donation? That’s a red flag for next time.
Keep Your Holiday Season Generous—and Secure
The holidays are about giving back. But giving without caution can cost your law firm more than money.
By combining internal policies, legal-minded vetting, and support from a local Salt Lake City IT company that understands your risks, you can protect your firm’s reputation and still do real good in the community.
Want to make sure your law firm is scam-aware, phishing-resistant, and donation-secure?
Click here to book your free network assessment with Qual IT.
Because the best gift you can give your firm this holiday season is confidence, clarity, and protection.
