3 tips to donate with confidence to charity

Unfortunately, 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.

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 


Find out more about donating to Crimestoppers charity 

16 September 2024