Brush up on your fraud prevention techniques during International Charity Fraud Awareness Week

It’s International Charity Fraud Awareness Week, a coordinated international campaign to help charities and their contributors avoid charity fraud and promote wise giving.

“It’s unfortunate that far too often, scammers take advantage of the generosity of others in order to line their own pockets,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “I am proud to serve a state whose residents always give generously to charities, and I support ICFAW in its efforts to protect generous donors throughout the globe and the charities they support. I urge donors, wherever they are, to take advantage of resources available to them so they may give wisely.”

Some actions that donors can take to avoid fraud are:

• Go to the listing of the National Association of State Charity Officials to find the agency in your state that regulates charities to see if an organization is registered and to review its financial reports.
  
• See how the charity has been rated by organizations such as the BBB Wise Giving Alliance,Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, and Guidestar.
• Find out if a contribution is tax-deductible by checking the IRS website at Tax Exempt Organization Search.
• Read the New York Charities Bureau’s tips on charitable giving.
• Check the Federal Trade Commission’s website for information on How to Donate Wisely and Avoid Charity Scams.
  

ICFAW was organized by the Charities Commission for England and Wales.