Statewide Iowa — With its first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses, Iowa is always a focal point for politics and some campaigns are already launching fundraising efforts — but who can you trust when a caller asks for money?
Consumer protection specialist Lara Sutherlin says you should treat unsolicited messages to donate to a political campaign the same way you treat spam or possible scams.
Earlier this year, she says some political action committees — or PACs — were caught signing people up for high monthly donations without giving them the proper notice.
Sutherlin says some political action committees have been masquerading as charities or representing themselves as donating money to candidates when they really aren’t.
Much like donations to charities, Sutherlin says you should investigate the groups you’re considering sending money to, and find out how much of that money actually goes toward a candidate or a cause before making a donation.
