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Make Your #Charity Donations Count
#TMYK!
Good info in this video:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/media/video-0170-make-your-donations-count
Info Specific to Donating Through an Online Giving Portal: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/donating-through-online-giving-portal
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#TMYK!Good info in this video:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/media/video-0170-make-your-donations-count
Info Specific to Donating Through an Online Giving Portal: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/donating-through-online-giving-portal
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Questions to ask and things to do:
• How much of your donation will go directly to the programs you want to support?
• Will your donation be tax-deductible?
The IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search tells you: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/tax-exempt-organization-search
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• How much of your donation will go directly to the programs you want to support?
• Will your donation be tax-deductible?
The IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search tells you: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/tax-exempt-organization-search
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• Search the charity’s name with the terms “scam” and “complaint”
• Verify the org is registered with your state charity regulator. Most states require charities or their fundraisers to register before asking for donations. To find yours:
http://www.nasconet.org/resources/state-government
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• Verify the org is registered with your state charity regulator. Most states require charities or their fundraisers to register before asking for donations. To find yours:
http://www.nasconet.org/resources/state-government
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• Check the charity’s ratings with groups like:
Wise Giving Alliance ( http://www.give.org )
Charity Navigator ( http://www.charitynavigator.org )
Charity Watch ( http://www.charitywatch.org )
Guide Star ( http://www.guidestar.org )
Find out how at http://FTC.gov/Charity
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Wise Giving Alliance ( http://www.give.org )
Charity Navigator ( http://www.charitynavigator.org )
Charity Watch ( http://www.charitywatch.org )
Guide Star ( http://www.guidestar.org )
Find out how at http://FTC.gov/Charity
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• Scammers’ tricks:
Rush you into making donations.
Use name sounding like the names of real charities (see test on last tweet)
Vague and sentimental claims but give no specifics about how your donation will be used.
Claim donations are deductible but they're not.
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Rush you into making donations.
Use name sounding like the names of real charities (see test on last tweet)
Vague and sentimental claims but give no specifics about how your donation will be used.
Claim donations are deductible but they're not.
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• Don’t assume solicitations on social media are legitimate, or that links are accurate, even in posts shared or liked by your friends.
After researching a charity thoroughly, go to the charity’s website to donate directly. Don't send payment info to someone via DM!
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After researching a charity thoroughly, go to the charity’s website to donate directly. Don't send payment info to someone via DM!
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• Be careful how you pay
If they want donations in cash, gift/prepaid card, or wiring money, DON'T!
Pay by credit card or check.
Review your statements to make sure you’re only charged what you agreed to donate, and that you’re not signed up for recurring donations.
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If they want donations in cash, gift/prepaid card, or wiring money, DON'T!
Pay by credit card or check.
Review your statements to make sure you’re only charged what you agreed to donate, and that you’re not signed up for recurring donations.
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• Test: To which veteran group would you donate? Operation Donate with Honor:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/operation-donate-honor-which-veterans-group-would-you-donate-infographic
• Follow @FTC for the latest tweets from the FTC.
• Spotted a charity scam?
Report it at http://FTC.gov/Complaint
Hopefully this info has been helpful!
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https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/operation-donate-honor-which-veterans-group-would-you-donate-infographic
• Follow @FTC for the latest tweets from the FTC.
• Spotted a charity scam?
Report it at http://FTC.gov/Complaint
Hopefully this info has been helpful!
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