DCWP - Tips to Avoid Charity Scams

Consumer and Worker Protection


Scams

Tips: Charitable Contributions


When a charity that you are not familiar with calls you for a donation, ask for its New York State charities registration number! Then ask the caller to send you something in the mail that you can read and think about before making a donation. All legitimate charities must be registered with the New York Attorney General’s Charities Bureau. Contact the Charities Bureau by visiting CharitiesNYS.com or calling 1-212-416-8401 to investigate the charity.

Questions to ask the Charities Bureau:

Is the charity registered?

How long has it been registered for?

What percentage of the money actually goes to the charity?

Does the charity pay someone to solicit for it?

Have any complaints been filed against the charity?

More Tips When Planning to Make a Donation:

Use Your Charitable Dollars Wisely. Research the organization before you donate. Only gift to charities that you know are reputable.

Look Out for Similar Charity Names. Some scammers use names that are similar to well-known charities in order to confuse donors. Always double check the name of the organization to which you’re donating.

Be Wary of Emotional Appeals. Scammers try to talk about problems by sharing sad stories, but are vague on how donations will be spent. Do not feel pressured into making a quick decision. Ask for information in writing so that you know where your donation dollars will go.

Know about For-Profit Fundraisers. New Yorkers should know that many phone solicitations for charities actually come from for-profit fundraisers. In some cases, less than half the money you give through a paid telemarketer actually goes to the charity. Donors can learn more about how charities use their donations by visiting the Attorney General’s website, CharitiesNYS.com.

For even more tips on charity scams, visit New York State Department of Financial Services website