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    Charity Scam Check

    Verify before you donate.

    Verification sites (FREE)

    • Charity Navigator — charitynavigator.org. Star ratings.
    • GuideStar / Candid — candid.org. Tax forms + transparency.
    • BBB Wise Giving Alliance — give.org. Standards.
    • CharityWatch — charitywatch.org. Tough A-F grades.
    • IRS Tax Exempt Search — apps.irs.gov/app/eos. Verify 501(c)(3).

    Common charity scams

    • Names sound LIKE real charities — "Police Officers Federation" vs real Fraternal Order.
    • Cold call for veterans, police, firefighters.
    • Disaster scams after hurricanes / fires.
    • GoFundMe scams — often unverifiable.
    • "Cancer kids" — emotional bait, fake.
    • Door-to-door collecting cash.

    Red flags

    • Pressure to give immediately.
    • Cash, gift card, or wire only.
    • Won't share name + address.
    • "Thanks for your previous donation" — you didn't donate.
    • Vague mission — "helping kids," "supporting troops."
    • Most money goes to "administration" not cause.
    • No website or just a Facebook page.

    Smart giving

    • You start the donation — you call them.
    • Pay by check or credit card (NEVER cash/wire).
    • Get receipt for tax deduction.
    • Pick 2-3 favorite charities. Give regularly.
    • Look for 75%+ goes to programs (not admin).
    • Local charities often more impact + transparent.

    QCD: senior tax win

    • Qualified Charitable Distribution from IRA.
    • Age 70½+ — direct from IRA to charity.
    • Counts toward RMD.
    • Excludes from taxable income.
    • Up to $108,000/year in 2026.
    • Tell IRA custodian you want QCD.

    Report charity fraud

    State Attorney General — most have charity fraud divisions. FTC — reportfraud.ftc.gov. BBB — bbb.org/scamtracker. IRS — Form 13909 reports tax-exempt abuse. Also tell family — protect community.