Giving to charity can help others and make you feel good. Unfortunately, not all charities offer the same levels of assistance to those in need. Some of them, in fact, are scams that don’t help anyone at all. Use these tips to help you decide which charities will use your donations for their intended purposes.
Contact the Charity
You can’t rely on a website to tell you everything about a charity. Contact the organization to learn more about its mission. Ask specific questions about how they will spend your money and what percentage of your donation will reach those in need.
Many scam charities have a difficult time keeping their stories straight. They look legitimate on their websites, but they can’t offer reliable information over the phone or in person. Pay attention to the details to help you decide which ones offer legitimate help.
Request Written Information
You should also ask the charity to send you brochures and other types of written information that will explain their assistance programs. Having written information makes it easier for you to review several charities to decide which one is right for you.
Don’t Give in to Pressure
If a charity pressures you to give money immediately, then find another organization that can use your donations. Con artists often use high pressure situations to trick individuals into donating money without asking many questions. A legitimate charity will want to make sure that you feel comfortable making a donation and will give you the information needed to help you decide whether you want to send them money or items.