There’s no better feeling than supporting a local charity, like being able to donate a car to a worthy organization. Sadly, there are plenty of people out there who take advantage of the kindness of strangers with fake charities and scams. That means you could donate a car with the intention to help those in need to only line the pockets of someone who doesn’t deserve your charity.
Here some tips to make sure that you’re donations actually go where they are needed:
Fake Charities Aren’t Always Easy To Spot
Charity scams are on the rise, and they aim to exploit those with good hearts. Unfortunately, these fake charities aren’t always easy to see. The ways that they market and contact potential donators have become extremely sophisticated.
One of the most common approaches for scammers today is to impersonate well-known groups with similar-sounding names or mission statements. The IRS doesn’t really dig too deep to determine if a charity is legit or simply taking advantage of people. This government agency is trying to crack down and help people recognize these grifts.
You may have heard of the American Cancer Society. This fine organization has a solid reputation for helping people through advocacy, fundraising, and research around cancer. You can imagine how a company called the Cancer Society of America might confuse generous givers. Luckily, the FTC was able to catch this issue and forced the fake organization to dissolve.
How To Avoid These Scams?
Whether you’re looking to donate a car or hand over cash to help an organization in need, here are some simples steps you can take to ensure your donation is appropriately used:
1. Be wary of e-mails asking you to make a donation online or open an attachment. Fake charities are really good at mimicking real charities. Of course, some organizations do allow you to make donations online or fill out paperwork. Make sure to do your own research and not just trust any link sent your way.
2. While there are new organizations with great causes popping up every year, there are also plenty of bad groups joining the scene as well. It’s often safer to stick to the companies that have a proven track record or people you can vouch for.
3. When possible, make monetary donations with a credit card. If you hand over cash, it’s gone. Your credit card offers an additional layer of protection that even your debit card can’t provide. Be especially mindful when handing over any property, such as donating a car, that the organization provides and submits the correct paperwork.
4. Keep an eye on your accounts. Some scams seek to increase your donation amount or donation frequency with the hope you won’t notice. If you see unauthorized charges, call your bank right away.
5. Finally, it’s worth exploring websites like Charity Navigator and Charity Watch to learn about charities you are considering for your donation.
Don’t let the bad apples out there keep you from helping worthwhile organizations. Just make sure to do your due diligence before handing over your donation.
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