Our money is only as good as what we do with it, as the likes of Robert Jain can attest, which is why many people donate it to charity. With so many causes that people champion, it can be difficult to determine which organizations are legitimate compared to the ones that aren't. Fake charities aren't designed to help others, but instead, steal money from unsuspecting people. For this reason, it's important to know how to donate your money with the utmost confidence in mind.
When it comes to the discussion of real versus fake charities, it can be argued that language is one of the most prevalent warning signs. For those that don't know, legitimate charities won't be pushy if you fail to have the money to donate up front. They won't guilt you into giving money that you don't have, either. If events like these happen to you, perhaps you'd want to work with another organization altogether. Names along the lines of Bob Jain will tell you the same.
If you donate to a charity, you should be provided with a receipt as well. This is especially helpful during tax refund season, as you may be able to write off this amount depending on who you gave your money to. Let's say that you aren't provided with a receipt; should this be seen as a warning sign as well, or simply a coincidence? The former tends to be more likely, which means that you should feel free to ask for a receipt upfront.
Lastly, if you are contacted by a charity that has only been in existence for a few days, be wary about moving forward with them. Believe it or not, it's common for "charities" to be created from out of nowhere, especially in the midst of disasters that gain major publicity. These are the organizations that serve to only benefit themselves. Long-standing organizations are more reputable, so place your focus on them instead.
It's important to give money to charities that you support, but knowing which ones are real is vital. One of the ways to do this is by researching them online. If you find that they aren't registered or lack a website, it should raise a red flag in your mind. Additionally, be skeptical of anyone that works for a charity that asks for payment upfront. Charities aren't meant to be pushy. Lastly, never provide your information to an organization you don't trust. You'll protect yourself even more in the long term.
When it comes to the discussion of real versus fake charities, it can be argued that language is one of the most prevalent warning signs. For those that don't know, legitimate charities won't be pushy if you fail to have the money to donate up front. They won't guilt you into giving money that you don't have, either. If events like these happen to you, perhaps you'd want to work with another organization altogether. Names along the lines of Bob Jain will tell you the same.
If you donate to a charity, you should be provided with a receipt as well. This is especially helpful during tax refund season, as you may be able to write off this amount depending on who you gave your money to. Let's say that you aren't provided with a receipt; should this be seen as a warning sign as well, or simply a coincidence? The former tends to be more likely, which means that you should feel free to ask for a receipt upfront.
Lastly, if you are contacted by a charity that has only been in existence for a few days, be wary about moving forward with them. Believe it or not, it's common for "charities" to be created from out of nowhere, especially in the midst of disasters that gain major publicity. These are the organizations that serve to only benefit themselves. Long-standing organizations are more reputable, so place your focus on them instead.
It's important to give money to charities that you support, but knowing which ones are real is vital. One of the ways to do this is by researching them online. If you find that they aren't registered or lack a website, it should raise a red flag in your mind. Additionally, be skeptical of anyone that works for a charity that asks for payment upfront. Charities aren't meant to be pushy. Lastly, never provide your information to an organization you don't trust. You'll protect yourself even more in the long term.
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For more details about finance in general, please consult Bobby Jain.. This article, Robert Jain: How To Tell Legitimate Charities From Scams is released under a creative commons attribution license.
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