Give Smart: 5 Red Flags to Look Out for When Giving to a Charity

FIVE RED FLAGS TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN SELECTING A CHARITY

Not all nonprofits are createdequal-- in fact, some aren't legitat all! The FTC has compiled alist of things to look out forbefore donating to a charity.

Here are five.

A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY

MAKE SURE THE ORGANIZATION CAN PROVE YOURDONATION WILL BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE, AND IS OPEN ABOUTTHEIR MISSION AND VALUES.01

WEIRD SOLICITATION TACTICS

SOME ORGANIZATIONS WILL REQUEST CASH-ONLYDONATIONS, OR DONATIONS OVERNIGHT. THOSE SHOULD BEAVOIDED.

02

SWEEPSTAKE DREAMS

IF AN "NPO" PROMISES SWEEPSTAKES EARNINGS, THAT'SREASON FOR SUSPICION. LEGALLY, PURCHASE IS NOTNECESSARY FOR SWEEPSTAKES.

03

GASLIGHTING

"GASLIGHTING" IS A TERM USED TO DESCRIBE AN ABUSEWHERE A VICTIM BEGINS TO QUESTION THEIR OWN SANITY.IF A CHARITY CALLS OR MESSAGES AND THANKS YOU FOR ADONATION YOU DON'T REMEMBER, TRUST YOUR GUT.

04

THE MASQUERADE

THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN TECHNIQUE WHERE A FAKE NPOWILL USE A NAME VERY SIMILAR TO A WELL-ESTABLISHED CHARITYTO TRICK YOU INTO GIVING DONATIONS.SORRY "RED SHIELD" AND "UNSCO"!THE JIG IS UP.

05

Be smart! Check out the rest ofthe FTC's checklist by following

the link in the descrption