How to Verify a Charity Before You Donate

Make sure your generous donation goes to a real charity — not a scammer.

In this guide (4 steps):

1.Why you should verify before donating
2.Use free tools to check a charity
3.Red flags of a fake charity
4.Safe ways to donate

Why you should verify before donating

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After natural disasters, holidays, and major news events, scammers set up fake charities to steal donations. Fake charities may: - Have names very similar to well-known charities - Use emotional stories to pressure you into donating immediately - Contact you by phone, email, social media, or door-to-door - Ask for donations by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency

Use free tools to check a charity

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These free websites rate and verify charities: 1. **Charity Navigator** (charitynavigator.org) - Search any charity by name - See a star rating and how they spend money 2. **BBB Wise Giving Alliance** (give.org) - Check if the charity meets BBB standards 3. **GuideStar by Candid** (guidestar.org) - Verify it is a real, registered nonprofit - See tax filings and financial information If a charity is not listed on any of these sites, proceed with extreme caution.

Quick Tip

A well-run charity spends at least 65 to 70 percent of donations on actual programs. Charity Navigator shows you this breakdown.

Red flags of a fake charity

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Watch out for these warning signs: 1. **Pressure to donate right now** — Real charities welcome donations anytime 2. **Vague about how they use money** — They cannot explain what your donation will do 3. **Name sounds like a famous charity** — "American Cancer Research Fund" instead of "American Cancer Society" 4. **Cash, gift card, or wire transfer only** — Real charities accept credit cards and checks 5. **Guarantees tax-deductibility** without proof 6. **Thanks you for a donation you did not make** — This is a trick 7. **No website or a poorly made website**

Safe ways to donate

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Once you verify a charity is real, donate safely: 1. **Donate through the charity's official website** — Type the address directly, do not click links in emails 2. **Pay by credit card or check** — Best protection and a record of your donation 3. **Never donate by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency** 4. **Get a receipt** — A legitimate charity provides a written receipt 5. **Set up recurring donations** through the official website for ongoing support Your generosity matters — just make sure it reaches the people who need it.

Warning

Never give your bank account number or Social Security number to a charity caller. A real charity will never ask for these.

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