It is one of the most anticipated times of the year: the holiday season! To get in the spirit, many of us give back to the less fortunate. As digital giving becomes more widespread with the creation of mobile payment services such as Cash App and digital donation webpages like GoFundMe, it is easy to put yourself at risk. Here are a few secure ways to donate safely during this holiday season—while also staying safe from cyberthreats.  

1. Host a digital food drive: This option is good for collaborative work environments. Put together a team and collect financial donations online via a secure site such as PayPal or Feeding America. Food pantries can often stretch financial donations further than non-perishable donations, so you are doubling the impact! 

2. Donate to an AmazonSmile Charity List: Find an organization of your choosing and purchase items for them. AmazonSmile is an easy way to support your favorite charities every time you shop on Amazon, donating 0.5% of your purchase to your organization of choice.  

3. Start a GoFundMe: If you personally know anyone who has been affected by natural disasters this year, start a GoFundMe to donate directly to them.  

If your preferred method is to directly send money to an organization or individual, follow these tips: 

1. Only use a safe, trustworthy platform 

2. Use strong password protection 

3. Do not send sensitive information through public Wi-Fi 

4. Use a credit card, not a debit card 

5. Monitor your account after sending 

Happy donating!