Even in the best of times, scammers exploit generosity. But during the holidays — when emotions run high and inboxes overflow — cybercriminals double down. For Salt Lake City medical practices, the risk isn’t just losing money. Falling for a fraudulent charity can tie your practice’s name to a scam, erode patient trust, and create unwanted reputational damage during the busiest season of the year.
Here’s how healthcare leaders in Salt Lake can give confidently, stay protected, and create smart internal policies with the help of managed IT services tailored to the medical industry.
How To Vet a Fundraiser Before You Donate
Whether you’re considering a GoFundMe for a staff member’s family or contributing to a public campaign, ask these questions:
- Who is organizing the fundraiser, and how are they connected to the recipient?
- How will the money be used — specifically and within what timeframe?
- Who controls fund withdrawals, and is there a direct path to the recipient?
- Do friends or family of the recipient publicly endorse the campaign?
If any of those answers are unclear, stop and ask. Silence or vagueness is a red flag.
Red Flags That Signal Fundraising Scams
Donation scams in the healthcare space often prey on emotional urgency. Look for:
- Copied or overly emotional stories without evidence
- Fake patient photos or medical records (reverse image search can help verify)
- Claims that your practice “already pledged” when you didn’t
- Requests for gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto
- No secure website connection (look for HTTPS)
Scammers may use logos, medical language, and stock images to appear legitimate — especially around local health causes. Don’t let visual polish fool you.
Vetting Registered Nonprofits
Even 501(c)(3) organizations can operate with questionable transparency. Before donating:
- Review their program descriptions, annual reports, and financials
- Search the charity’s name alongside terms like “fraud,” “scam,” or “complaints”
- Confirm how much of each dollar goes to programs vs. overhead
Use resources like Guidestar or Charity Navigator to check credentials and reviews.
Why This Matters for Salt Lake Medical Practices
You already wear multiple hats — physician, manager, HR — and often, your practice is seen as a community pillar. If you or a team member donates under your clinic’s name to a fraudulent cause, it doesn’t just cost money. It costs credibility.
What’s more, donation scams often use the same tactics as phishing emails and wire fraud — which remain two of the top cyber threats targeting healthcare organizations. Educating your staff on scam detection is just one piece of a broader IT security strategy.
How to Protect Your Generosity (And Your Practice)
- Create a Donation Policy: Define how your clinic gives, what causes you support, and what vetting is required.
- Train Your Team: Include scam awareness in your HIPAA and cybersecurity training. A front desk coordinator should know what a fake fundraiser looks like.
- Stick to Trusted Channels: Only donate through official nonprofit websites. Avoid links in social media messages or unsolicited emails.
- Review Public Giving: Before announcing your clinic’s support publicly, triple-check the charity’s legitimacy.
- Track Post-Donation: Legitimate nonprofits provide receipts and follow-up reports on how funds are used.
Don’t Let Holiday Giving Turn Into a HIPAA Headache
The holidays are an opportunity for generosity — but only when paired with caution and clear policies. A few smart practices now can help you protect your reputation, your team, and the community trust you’ve worked so hard to build.
At Qual IT, we help Salt Lake City medical practices build secure, compliant systems that cover more than just EMRs. From cybersecurity training to scam prevention policies, we help you safeguard what matters most.
Want to make sure your team can spot scams before they happen?
Click here to book your free network assessment.
Because the best gift you can give your Salt Lake City clinic this season is protection that lasts far beyond December.
