After a disaster, people want to help quickly. Scammers can copy charity names, reuse real photographs, or circulate payment details that do not belong to the organization. A short verification step helps your donation reach the work you intended to support.
Understand the idea
Choose the organization first, then find its donation route independently. Check its identity, stated work, and payment destination using its real website and any relevant charity register. A social-media post can introduce a cause, but it should not be the only evidence behind the transfer.
- Appeal
Identify the organization the message claims to represent.
- Verify
Use its established site or a trusted register where available.
- Donate
Check the recipient and keep a payment record.
A practical example
Imagine a forwarded message using a respected NGO’s name and a personal bank account. You open the NGO’s official website and contact its published team to confirm the campaign. If the account is not authorized, you use the verified donation page and report the copycat message.
What to do next
- Name: Is this the exact organization, rather than a similar spelling or copied logo?
- Purpose: Does the appeal explain the program, location, and intended use of funds clearly enough to evaluate?
- Recipient: Does the payment destination belong to the verified organization or an explicitly explained fundraiser?
- Record: Will you receive a receipt showing the date, amount, recipient, and whether the gift is recurring?
How to check the result
Save a receipt and the campaign details. Registration and reporting arrangements differ by country, so use the appropriate official register or oversight body for the organization involved.
A familiar charity name appears in a social-media fundraiser.
Check whether that fundraiser is actually authorized by the charity. A copied name, photo, or logo does not establish the organizer’s identity.
Sources and useful guides
The following resources provide background and more detailed guidance. Use the sections that match your service and situation.
