When disaster strikes, you may feel moved to help — but scammers are quick to take advantage of a crisis. Before you give, follow these steps to protect yourself and ensure your gift goes to legitimate relief efforts.

 

  1. Choose a trusted organization.

    Stick with well-known groups and vetted local organizations. Official city, county, or state websites are good sources to find information and community resources for in-kind donations.
  2. Verify the organization’s credentials.

    Before you give, use sites like Give.org, Charity Navigator, or GuideStar to confrim an organization's legitimacy. Be cautious when donating through crowdfunding sites.
  3. Look for secure online donation pages.

    Check the website's security features. Look for SSL Encryption (https://) and secure payment processing. Avoid clicking on links from unsolicited texts or emails.