Our money is only as good as what we do with it, as the likes of Robert Jain can attest, which is why many people donate it to charity. With so many causes that people champion, it can be difficult to determine which organizations are legitimate compared to the ones that aren't. Fake charities aren't designed to help others, but instead, steal money from unsuspecting people. For this reason, it's important to know how to donate your money with the utmost confidence in mind.
When it comes to the discussion of real versus fake charities, it can be argued that language is one of the most prevalent warning signs. For those that don't know, legitimate charities won't be pushy if you fail to have the money to donate up front. They won't guilt you into giving money that you don't have, either. If events like these happen to you, perhaps you'd want to work with another organization altogether. Names along the lines of Bob Jain will tell you the same.
If you donate to a charity, you should be provided with a receipt as well. This is especially helpful during tax refund season, as you may be able to write off this amount depending on who you gave your money to. Let's say that you aren't provided with a receipt; should this be seen as a warning sign as well, or simply a coincidence? The former tends to be more likely, which means that you should feel free to ask for a receipt upfront.
For those that want to avoid false charities as much as possible, make note of how long they've been in existence for. If a natural disaster strikes, it's not uncommon for these types of organizations to be created so that they can capitalize. They will take the money they're given and use it for themselves, which ultimately helps no one else. If an organization has been in existence for many years, you can rest easy knowing that they're more reputable, therefore safer to donate money to.
When it comes to protecting yourself when dealing with charities, there are different steps that can be taken. The first, and perhaps most important, is research. The Internet is comprised of ample information, so if you can't find out anything about a charity that reaches out to you, this should give you pause. You may also want to see if the organization is registered so that you know they're legitimate. Otherwise, you may end up doing business with a charity that isn't what it seems.
When it comes to the discussion of real versus fake charities, it can be argued that language is one of the most prevalent warning signs. For those that don't know, legitimate charities won't be pushy if you fail to have the money to donate up front. They won't guilt you into giving money that you don't have, either. If events like these happen to you, perhaps you'd want to work with another organization altogether. Names along the lines of Bob Jain will tell you the same.
If you donate to a charity, you should be provided with a receipt as well. This is especially helpful during tax refund season, as you may be able to write off this amount depending on who you gave your money to. Let's say that you aren't provided with a receipt; should this be seen as a warning sign as well, or simply a coincidence? The former tends to be more likely, which means that you should feel free to ask for a receipt upfront.
For those that want to avoid false charities as much as possible, make note of how long they've been in existence for. If a natural disaster strikes, it's not uncommon for these types of organizations to be created so that they can capitalize. They will take the money they're given and use it for themselves, which ultimately helps no one else. If an organization has been in existence for many years, you can rest easy knowing that they're more reputable, therefore safer to donate money to.
When it comes to protecting yourself when dealing with charities, there are different steps that can be taken. The first, and perhaps most important, is research. The Internet is comprised of ample information, so if you can't find out anything about a charity that reaches out to you, this should give you pause. You may also want to see if the organization is registered so that you know they're legitimate. Otherwise, you may end up doing business with a charity that isn't what it seems.
About the Author:
For additional details about finance in general, kindly contact Bobby Jain.. This article, The Differences Between Real & Fake Charities, By Robert Jain has free reprint rights.