Online donation scams, and how to avoid them

Following a natural disaster there is always a call to help those in need. However some online campaigns may not be beneficial for the victims they claim to serve. Here are some tips from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Army on how to avoid giving money to an online scammer.

Ask questions. Before giving any money it’s worth asking where the money is specifically going. A reliable charity should be able to provide information on the cause they are collecting for, and how much of your donation will actually go toward the cause.

Look up the charity. The FTC recommends checking with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to see if a charity is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. You can find that page here.

If you think you have given to a fraudulent organization you can file a complaint with the FTC. You can do that as well as access more information here.