Even in a profession built on trust and vision, architectural firms are not immune to digital deception. And during the holidays—when firms are sharing client gifts, donating to causes, and reflecting on community impact—scammers are at their most active.
Several years ago, the FTC exposed a massive telefunding scam that raked in over $110 million using fake donation calls. More recently, over 800 scammy social media accounts were found soliciting fake donations through platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
For Salt Lake City architecture firms, the stakes are high. A fraudulent donation doesn’t just drain your firm’s resources—it can tie your brand to illegitimacy, damage your reputation with clients, and erode community trust.
Here’s how to protect your generosity this season, while also reinforcing your firm's cybersecurity posture.
How To Vet A Fundraiser Before Donating
Whether you’re supporting a nonprofit aligned with urban planning or a community-based housing initiative, always vet the fundraiser:
- Who is organizing it, and what’s their relationship to the recipient?
- How exactly will the funds be used, and in what timeframe?
- Who controls the funds? Is there a clear path from donor to recipient?
- Do any partners, clients, or reputable third parties endorse the campaign?
If any of these answers are murky, proceed with caution. In architecture, clarity of purpose matters—your philanthropy should be just as precise.
Red Flags That Signal a Scam
As with project RFPs or contractor bids, a lack of transparency is a warning sign. Be wary of:
- Stories copied from other fundraisers
- Missing financial or impact details
- Overly emotional pitches without verification
- Pressure to donate via gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto
Also check the organization’s web address—no "https" means your firm’s donation info isn’t secure.
What About Registered Charities?
Even 501(c)(3) organizations can have questionable practices. Review the following:
- Do they publish annual reports and transparent financials?
- Is the program impact clearly outlined, or is it vague?
- Are they associated with search results like “complaints” or “fraud”?
Architecture firms are detail-oriented by nature—so apply the same scrutiny to your charitable giving.
Common Scammer Tactics Targeting Architecture Firms
Cybercriminals use donation scams as a gateway to broader attacks. Here’s what we’ve seen locally:
- Fake donation links embedded in holiday eCards to firm staff
- Phishing emails pretending to be from design partners promoting a fundraiser
- Requests for “matching gifts” that include a malware attachment
These aren't random—they're tailored to industries with high trust and a culture of giving, like architecture.
Why Salt Lake City Architecture Firms Should Take This Seriously
Your firm’s public generosity reflects its values. If a scammer ties your name to a fake charity—or if an employee donates under your firm’s name to a fraudulent cause—it could call your due diligence into question.
Even worse? These scams often mimic the same tactics used in business email compromise (BEC), ransomware delivery, and data exfiltration attacks.
Teaching your team to spot charity scams is part of a broader cybersecurity strategy—especially when paired with managed IT services in Salt Lake City that understand the architecture industry.
How To Protect Your Firm’s Generosity (And Reputation)
To keep your giving secure and aligned with your values:
- Create a Donation Policy: Define who approves donations, how nonprofits are vetted, and what causes align with your mission.
- Run Awareness Training: Educate staff on holiday scam tactics, especially those that appear to come from leadership.
- Use Trusted Channels Only: Always give directly through official nonprofit websites—never from email links or social posts.
- Triple-Check Before Publicizing: If your firm is promoting a donation campaign on your website or social media, make sure it’s airtight.
- Monitor Donation Outcomes: Reputable charities publish outcomes. If you don’t see follow-up, follow up yourself.
This Holiday Season, Give Securely
As designers and planners, your impact goes beyond buildings—it touches lives and communities. Giving back is part of that legacy.
But that generosity must be safeguarded.
At Qual IT, we help architecture firms in Salt Lake City protect their operations, their data, and their reputations—especially during high-risk times like the holidays.
Want to ensure your team is trained to spot scams and your systems are locked down before year-end?
Click here to book your free network assessment.
Because the best gift you can give your firm—and your community—is trust, security, and a system that protects your good intentions.
