Distinguishing Between The Genuine And Fake Public Charities

By Stephanie Wilson


While most citizens wish to donate to worthy courses championed by charity organizations, they are faced with the dilemma of differentiating between the genuine and fake courses. This is because of the emergence of public charities that fundraise yet do not forward the money to the intended beneficiaries. It ends up enriching the administrators. Here are aspects you can use to verify whether an organization is genuine or fake before making your contribution.

Demand details of the course, mission or aim of the fundraiser. Some missions given by such organizations are fake and unverifiable. For instance, if the agent points at a disaster like drought, it is likely that such information is available on news. You have a right to decline the request if the mission is not clear and verifiable.

Charity contributions by individuals or organizations are exempted from taxation. The fundraiser must therefore provide details to enable you include the contributions in your tax returns. Where such details are not provided, they are unclear, or unverifiable, you should halt your contribution until you verify. You will be forced to pay taxes on funds that you never used for personal benefit.

Have you encountered a charity that uses a name that resembles another popular organization? This is a clear sign of fraud. The close resemblance is meant to hoodwink you into making your contribution. It is advisable that you verify the information provided in case you still want to contribute. However, there are high chances that the organization could be running a con scheme.

A fundraiser should never push you to contribute in a hurry. This only happens when the agent does not want you to question his mission or realize that something is wrong with the campaign. You are likely to fall for the trick especially when money is readily available. Do not give into pressure. Hold on until such a time when you can ascertain that the deal is genuine. This will prevent your money from going to the wrong beneficiaries.

Some organization brag about years of existence yet they have no tangible results or success stories. By checking online or on news stands, you should get recent stories or photos of their work. If such information is not available, you have every reason to worry. The photos and stories should be of recent events that are covered on independent outlets.

All charity organizations and courses are sanctioned by the government. This is through licensing to operate in a certain field and accreditation. The bodies responsible display details for public access on their websites including the persons in charge and areas they are licensed to operate. Check these details and verify what the fundraiser says. If such details do not exist, you have every reason to slow down on your donation.

There are numerous verification options when the credibility of a charity is in question. They include use of SMSs and online portals for accrediting bodies. If a fundraiser is hesitant to provide the details you are asking for, ignore the request and alert law enforcement officials. Such an action will ensure that money meant for the needy gets to them.




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