Donating to charity is a very important and long-standing tradition. public generosity in support of charitable activities is critical for their work. To make sure that people’s generosity is not misused and the money donated does not end up in the wrong hand there are some rules that should be followed. Charity needs to continue to thrive and there should be trust so that people can help strengthen society and improve lives.
Perform important checks
Everyone should perform important checks before making a donation so that they feel empowered and have a greater sense of confidence about the ability to spot and avoid scams. The number of charity related scams is actually quite small in comparison to how much is donated to legitimate causes. The entire sector generates a whopping £76 billion every year which also means unfortunately, that it is an attractive target for criminals.
Basic checks
The most basic advice is check the charity register before making a donation, so that people are certain the money they give do indeed help to fund the intended charitable cause. Here are a few other pieces of advice people looking to give money to charity should follow.
Some rules
Before donating always check the name of the charity and whether it has a registration number. Typically a charity that receives donations every year exceeding £5,000 must be registered. Always make sure the charity is genuine before disclosing financial information and be cautious when responding to emails and clicking on links contained within those emails. When a street collector approaches, make sure they are wearing proper ID and that the tin they carry for collections is sealed and undamaged. If in doubt ask the person for more information.
Consistency
You should also examine the collection bags for clothing and household goods to determine if they are in fact from a charity that is genuine. You should also check whether the fundraising materials are genuine and a sign of that is the name of the charity should be displayed prominently as well as its registered number and telephone number. Check the contact number is consistent with the information on the register.
Do not feel pressurized
People should never feel pressure to donate immediately and always use this cautionary behaviour every time a donation is made. People who think a collection is not legitimate should report it to the police and make a complaint to the police and Fundraising Regulator. If there is a sense the collector is an imposter or does not have a license, people should report that to the Local Authority Licensing Team or if in Greater London, to the Metropolitan Police and inform the charity.
