The holiday season is a time for giving—but it’s also open season for scammers. And in construction, where your name is your brand and trust is everything, one bad donation can do more than hurt your wallet. It can damage your reputation with subs, clients, and your community.
Whether you’re making a year-end contribution as a company or just letting field teams rally behind a good cause, it pays to be smart. Here’s how Salt Lake City construction firms can protect their generosity from cybercriminals and charity scammers alike.
How To Vet A Fundraiser Before You Donate
Legitimate fundraisers have answers. Before you give, make sure the campaign explains:
- Who is organizing it, and how they know the recipient
- What the funds will be used for and on what timeline
- Who controls the withdrawals and where the money goes
- Whether the recipient or their family has endorsed it
If these questions get you vague responses or silence, that’s your signal to walk away.
Scam Red Flags That Construction Teams Should Watch For
Scammers prey on urgency and emotion. Watch out for:
- Copy-pasted stories or stolen images
- Fundraisers with no backstory or fake testimonials
- Pressure to give immediately without time to verify
- Requests for payment via gift card, crypto, or wire transfer
Pro tip: If it doesn’t pass the same gut check you use when hiring a subcontractor, don’t open your wallet.
Even Registered Charities Deserve a Closer Look
Don’t assume 501(c)(3) status equals safe giving. Construction companies should dig deeper, especially if public donations are part of your year-end community push.
Look for:
- Annual reports and financial breakdowns on how funds are used
- Transparent percentages of program vs. admin spending
- Independent reviews or watchdog ratings (like Charity Navigator)
- Whether the charity's name pulls up complaints or scam reports online
Your reputation rides on how well you verify who you partner with—whether it’s a concrete supplier or a nonprofit.
Common Tactics Scammers Use (On Your Crew, Too)
The same tactics used in online charity scams are often used in phishing attacks targeting your company:
- Phony donation links sent by email
- Spoofed messages claiming you “promised a pledge”
- No HTTPS in the URL (missing the "s" means no secure encryption)
- High-pressure emotional language meant to override logic
If your team knows how to spot fake fundraisers, they’re also better equipped to flag phishing emails or invoice fraud.
Why This Matters To Salt Lake City Construction Leaders
Salt Lake builders are known for giving back. Whether it’s through local food drives, community builds, or year-end donations, the construction industry shows up. But a misstep in how those donations are vetted can:
- Associate your company name with a scam
- Put employee data or financials at risk
- Undermine client trust when word gets out
And when your business is built on relationships and repeat work, trust is non-negotiable.
How To Protect Your Generosity (And Your Company)
Set a Donation Policy: Define how, when, and who approves company donations—especially if made under your business name.
Educate Your Staff: Your project managers, admins, and foremen should know the basics of spotting scams. It’s a key piece of broader IT security for construction firms.
Use Verified Channels: Always donate via the nonprofit’s official website—not through links sent in texts or social media messages.
Triple-Check Public Contributions: If you’re posting your donation publicly, be sure the cause holds up to scrutiny.
Follow The Funds: Reputable organizations provide updates on how your contribution is used. If they don’t, that’s a red flag.
Keep Your Holidays Generous—Not Risky
The holidays should be about giving, not second-guessing. Smart donation vetting and clear IT protocols make sure your generosity reflects well on your business—not backfires.
Want to make sure your construction company and your crew are protected from scams and cyber threats?
Click here to book your free network assessment.
At Qual IT, we provide managed IT services for Salt Lake City construction companies that want to stay secure without slowing down. Because the best gift you can give your team this season is a job site (and office) that runs on trust and protection.
