Every charity has different overhead costs. Before donating to charities, ensure that the lion’s share of the money will go where it’s needed.
You can research your favorite charities — learning how much of your donation will go to the intended purpose vs. how much will go to overhead — at give.org, charitywatch.org and charitynavigator.org.
Here are some suggestions compiled from consumer advocate Clark Howard and the L.A. Times:
- Don’t give cash. Legitimate charities will take a check.
- Don’t give credit card, bank account or personal information to telemarketers. If you want to donate, initiate the call yourself.
- Don’t give to Internet appeals if the cause does not look legitimate and doesn’t check out. Traditional frauds have gone electronic in recent years, giving con artists easy access to thousands of potential victims.
- Don’t give in to pressure. Anyone that can’t wait for a donation while you check out his or her organization is likely to be a crook.
- Expect specific information. Ask what kind of relief this organization is going to provide. Don’t give to a vague appeal.
- Check out the charity with national, state and local authorities. Established charities register with the Internal Revenue Service. You can search for specific nonprofit organizations on the IRS website, irs.gov.
- Beware of newly formed organizations. If the charity is new, you may have to rely on your relationship with the company or sponsor of the organization to determine whether you trust the group.
- Report abuses to the nearest Better Business Bureau and the Ga. Governor’s Officer of Consumer Affairs. You can also report abuses to the National Fraud Information Center at 800-876-7060. NFIC also has a web-based complaint form at fraud.org.
- Do give. Needs will be great now and in the months to come.
Officer Larry Jacobs is a crime prevention specialist with Crime Prevention Unit of the Sandy Springs Police Department. He can be reached at ljacobs@sandyspringsga.gov.