Ready to donate to worthy cause?

Do your homework. Our first inclination when we hear about catastrophic events in the news is to open our hearts and wallets to help. Scammers pay attention to disastrous events, too. To avoid charity fraud, be sure to check out the organization online for clues that you are giving to a legitimate cause.

Check out the organization’s website. Look for positive and negative feedback, and history of engagement.

Look for websites that publish charity ratings, which are based on an organization’s financial transparency, compliance with nonprofit best practices and more. Look for Charity Navigator, GuideStar and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance.

Search social media accounts of the organization. Look for pictures, videos and stories and stakeholder and volunteer engagement.

Want more information?

Check out this YouTube video or visit our Safety page.

How to avoid charity scams

4 ways to check out if a non-profit is legit

Our first inclination when we hear about catastrophic events in the news is to open our hearts and wallets to help. Scammers pay attention to disastrous events, too. To avoid charity fraud, be sure to check out the organization online for clues that you are giving to a legitimate cause.

  • 1. Check out the organization’s website. Look for positive and negative feedback, and history of engagement.
  • 2. Look at websites that publish charity ratings, which are based on an organization’s financial transparency, compliance with nonprofit best practices and more.

Charity Navigator  – charitynavigator.org
Guidestar (also known as Candid) – guidestar.org
Better Business Bureau Giving Alliance – give.org

  • 3. Search social media accounts of the organization. Look for pictures, videos and stories and stakeholder and volunteer engagement.
  • 4. Be careful when considering charitable contributions in response to a phone call or email solicitation unless it is a charity you already have a relationship with.
  • 5. Decide on a charity

The Oasis Institute has provided meaningful volunteer opportunities for more than 30 years. Read about the impact volunteering has had on Cesar and Fabio.

Oasis Connections has been teaching adults to be safe online since 2004. To learn more visit https://connections.oasisnet.org/
AT&T supports the Oasis Institute, a non-profit educational organization that promotes healthy aging through lifelong learning, active lifestyles and volunteer engagement.