Hawaiʻi Attorney General Warns Nonprofits of Widespread Fake Donation Check Scam

The Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General has issued a warning to nonprofits about a scam involving fake donation checks. Fraudulent donors, using names like “Leonardo Kotlar” and “Give To Help Foundation,” send counterfeit checks often larger than the promised amount and then request a refund of a portion of the funds before the nonprofits realize the checks are fake. These scams exploit the goodwill of nonprofits by posing as generous donors or corporate representatives, often citing urgent reasons for refund requests, which ultimately leads to financial losses for the nonprofits when the original checks bounce. Eunice Park, Charities Program Administrator, urges nonprofits to stay vigilant by verifying donor identities, confirming the legitimacy of checks with banks, waiting for full clearance before spending or refunding funds, and implementing strict financial controls requiring multiple approvals. The Department encourages nonprofit leaders to review and strengthen their financial policies and to report any suspicious activity promptly. The public can contact the Attorney General’s Tax & Charities Division with questions or concerns about such scams.