So you want to give to a charity? Nice! Before you begin though, there are a few things to look out for when conducting your research. Thankfully, the FTC has you covered, and you can check out there "charity checklist" here: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0074-giving-charity#Signs

1. FIVE RED FLAGS TO
LOOK OUT FOR WHEN
SELECTING A CHARITY

2. Notallnonprofitsarecreated
equal-- infact,somearen'tlegit
atall!TheFTChascompileda
listofthingstolookoutfor
beforedonatingtoacharity.
Herearefive.

3. A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY
MAKE SURE THE ORGANIZATION CAN PROVE YOUR
DONATION WILL BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE, AND IS OPEN ABOUT
THEIR MISSION AND VALUES.01

4. WEIRD SOLICITATION TACTICS
SOME ORGANIZATIONS WILL REQUEST CASH-ONLY
DONATIONS, OR DONATIONS OVERNIGHT. THOSE SHOULD BE
AVOIDED.
02

5. SWEEPSTAKE DREAMS
IF AN "NPO" PROMISES SWEEPSTAKES EARNINGS, THAT'S
REASON FOR SUSPICION. LEGALLY, PURCHASE IS NOT
NECESSARY FOR SWEEPSTAKES.
03

6. GASLIGHTING
"GASLIGHTING" IS A TERM USED TO DESCRIBE AN ABUSE
WHERE A VICTIM BEGINS TO QUESTION THEIR OWN SANITY.
IF A CHARITY CALLS OR MESSAGES AND THANKS YOU FOR A
DONATION YOU DON'T REMEMBER, TRUST YOUR GUT.
04

7. THE MASQUERADE
THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN TECHNIQUE WHERE A FAKE NPO
WILL USE A NAME VERY SIMILAR TO A WELL-ESTABLISHED CHARITY
TO TRICK YOU INTO GIVING DONATIONS.
SORRY "RED SHIELD" AND "UNSCO"!
THE JIG IS UP.
05

8. Besmart!Checkouttherestof
theFTC'schecklistbyfollowing
thelinkinthedescrption