4 tips for giving safely to charity

It’s a sad fact that fraudsters will take advantage of your generosity when you decide to give to charity.

Action Fraud, National Fraud & Cyber Crime Reporting Centre have highlighted how you can give safely to charity. It’s always important to be vigilant to make sure you are giving to a legitimate organisation. 
 
The Charity Commission for England and Wales and the Fundraising Regulator advise to pause and check before giving a donation. This would include:

1. Checking the charity’s name and registration number via gov.uk/checkcharity
2. Looking for a Fundraising Badge on charity marketing materials – this is a logo that will say, ‘registered with Fundraising Regulator’. When you see this, you can have confidence in a charity’s fundraising.
3. Check the Fundraising Regulator’s online Directory to see if a charity has committed to good fundraising practice at fundraisingregulator.org.uk/directory.
4. If you’re still unsure about a charity, check with the organisation to get more information. Legitimate causes will be happy to respond and answer your questions.

If you suspect that a charity or fundraising appeal is not genuine, report it to Action Fraud. If you are based in Scotland, report to 101.

Read more about giving safely to charity 


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