Always make sure who or whatever you are giving money to there are links to the societies or foundations.

The Bozeman Police Department are warning locals that there have been quite a few online scams on Google for people to donate gift cards to vets or care workers helping out with COVID=19 in hospitals. The thing is they aren't real.

We have received reports of a Google scam asking for the purchase of gift cards for donations to Veterans at hospitals...

Posted by Bozeman Police Department on Thursday, November 19, 2020

Credit: Bozeman Police Department via Facebook

This has become such a problem nationwide that Google came out with a list of tips on how to avoid online COVID-19 scams.

Scammers seem to have moved from phone scams to now using Google to try and rip the hard earned money from the honest people of the Gallatin Valley. That just makes me sick.

One of the ways you can tell if the fundraiser or what you are possibly donating to have phony information about where the gift cards are going. Make sure there are sources and Google those organizations and see if it's real. Those are simply the best ways to find out if you are getting scammed.

This is the worst time of the year to get scammed because people will try and prey on people and their charitable natures to help others but one thing you could do to help vets or care workers is if you know someone personally who works at the hospital or is a veteran personally give them a gift card and thank them.

For more details, check out the Bozeman Police Department.

Six Bozeman Restaurants That Should Be Franchised Nationwide

More From KISS FM