Charity Scams

Here are tips to help make sure your charitable contributions are put to good use. For more information, visit ftc.gov/charityfraud.

Avoid any charity or fundraiser that:

• Refuses to provide detailed information about its identity, mission, costs, and how the donation will be used.

• Won't provide proof that a contribution is tax deductible.

• Uses a name that closely resembles that of a better-known, reputable organization.

• Thanks you for a pledge you don’t remember making.

• Uses high-pressure tactics like trying to get you to donate immediately, without giving you time to think about it and do your research.

• Asks for donations in cash or asks you to wire money.

• Offers to send a courier or overnight delivery service to collect the donation immediately.

• Guarantees sweepstakes winnings in exchange for a contribution. By law, you never have to give a donation to be eligible to win a sweepstakes.

• Won’t give you a number to call them back.

• Is not registered with the CT DCP. To check go to www.elicense.ct.gov (check registration)

Take the following precautions to make sure your donation benefits the people and organizations you want to help.

• Ask for detailed information about the charity, including name, address, and telephone number. If you suspect they may not be valid, call them back.

• Get the exact name of the organization and do some research. Searching the name of the organization online — especially with the word “complaint(s)” or “scam”— is one way to learn about its reputation.

• Call the charity. Find out if the organization is aware of the solicitation and has authorized the use of its name. The organization’s development staff should be able to help you.

• Find out if the charity or fundraiser must be registered in your state by contacting the National Association of State Charity Officials.

• Check if the charity is trustworthy by contacting the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, or GuideStar. 

• Keep a detailed record of your donations. 

• Make an annual donation plan. That way, you can decide which causes to support and which reputable charities should receive your donations.

• Know the difference between “tax exempt” and “tax deductible.” Tax exempt means the organization doesn’t have to pay taxes. Tax deductible means you can deduct your contribution on your federal income tax return.

• Never send cash donations. For security and tax purposes, it’s best to pay by check — made payable to the charity — or by credit card.

• Never wire money to someone claiming to be a charity. Scammers often request donations to be wired because wiring money is like sending cash: once you send it, you can’t get it back.

• Do not provide your credit or check card number, bank account number or any personal information until you’ve thoroughly researched the charity.

• Be wary of charities that spring up too suddenly in response to current events and natural disasters. Even if they are legitimate, they probably don’t have the infrastructure to get the donations to the affected area or people.

• If a donation request comes from a group claiming to help your local community (for example, local police or firefighters), ask the local agency if they have heard of the group and are getting financial support.

• What about texting? If you text to donate, the charge will show up on your mobile phone bill. If you've asked your mobile phone provider to block premium text messages — texts that cost extra — then you won't be able to donate this way.

Report Charity Scams

• If you think you’ve been the victim of a charity scam or if a fundraiser has violated Do Not Call rules, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. ftc.gov/charityfraud or ftccomplaintassistant.gov.

• Your complaints can help detect patterns of wrong-doing and lead to investigations and prosecutions. You should also file a complaint with DCP by emailing dcp.charitiesenforcement@ct.gov. 

Do Not Call Registry

The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a way to reduce telemarketing calls, but it exempts charities and political groups. However, if a fundraiser is calling on behalf of a charity, you may ask not to get any more calls from, or on behalf of, that specific charity. If those calls continue, the fundraiser may be subject to a fine. To add a number to the National Do Not Call registry www.donotcall.gov. To register by phone, call 1-888-382-1222 (voice) or 1-866-290-4236 (TTY).