If you have decided that you want to donate to a charity, congratulations! You have made a commendable choice, and you will likely feel good about your gift and help the needy at the same time--provided, of course, you give your money or goods to a legitimate cause. sometimes, though, it can be difficult to determine which charities are worthy and which ones are rip-offs aimed to take your money and use it in ways that are less than noble. This page on how to give to charity without getting scammed is designed to help you spot the shady operations and avoid wasting your money and good will.

Giving money to worthy causes can be beneficial on several different levels. First of all, it simply feels good to help others in need or support causes that you believe in, and the self-esteem boost can be well worth the cost of your donation. Second, of course, is the fact that you will help bring joy into the lives of others, or benefit the planet in some way. Lastly, many charitable donations can be written off at tax time, meaning that you can get back some of your money--which makes you better off financially than if you had merely spent the money on other things.

The vast majority of legitimate charitable organizations are well-documented, and are recognized by consumer groups. If you are concerned about the integrity of a cause, a few moments of research may be all you need in order to determine if the charity is worthy, or if it is indeed a scam. A Google search is always a good place to start, as many doners who feel that they have been taken advantage of will post complaints that may be found online. Similarly, if a Google search turns up nothing at all, the charity may be on the shady side. If you are still unsure after a basic search, you can also research a charity by checking in with the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. They are online at www.give.org, and can also be reached by telephone at (703) 276.0100. http://www.bbb.org/us/Contact-BBB/

In addition to looking up a charity, it is also a good idea to contact the organization itself and ask questions about your potential donation. Where will the money go? How will it be used? How much of the money that you give will go towards the intended cause, and how much will be put back into marketing? A trustworthy organization should be prepared to answer these questions, and let you know exactly what is going to happen with your money or other goods once they leave your hands.http://www.fraud.org/tips/internet/charity.htm

Sometimes, even charities that appear to be legitimate, and have good reputations, can participate in aggressive marketing campaigns that can leave consumers feeling somewhat taken advantage of. This does not make them scams per se, but you should not feel pressured to give any more than you feel you can afford. If the representative on the other end of the phone line is overly persistent, or you feel pressured to donate more than you intended to because you have received gifts from the charity (some of them will mail personal address labels, greeting cards, or even membership certificates to incentivize potential donors), or are simply overwhelmed by the volume of marketing material that you receive, hold your ground. Do not let any organization guilt you into offering more than your bank account can handle.

One of the simplest ways to avoid sending out more money than you can afford is to draw up a budget for yourself, and be sure to stick to it. Write out your expected income for each month, as well as a list of all of your monthly expenses. Be realistic, and remain honest about what you spend and what you need. From here, you should be able to figure out how much cash you can fork over to your cause or causes of choice. Once you have come up with a number, take care to stick to it--no matter what sort of pressures come at you from telemarketers or marketing materials.

There are plenty of known scams out there, and here you will find a list of red flag signs to look out for when choosing your charity. In general, you should be somewhat wary of any organization that contacts you by email when you have never donated to them or requested information in the past. There a lot of questionable "charities" that seek out gullible donors by sending out mass emails (spam, essentially), and then just pocket the money. Also, keep in mind that you should never send cash. By using checks or money orders you will be able to track your donation. Below are some ways to protect yourself from scams:http://www.fraud.org/tips/internet/charity.htmhttp://www.ftc.gov/charityfraud/

1. Look out for copycat charity names that sound similar to well-known organizations.
2. Be skeptical of those claiming to donate to local services, such as firemen or police. When in doubt, contact the service provider directly to confirm affiliation.
3. Never give your payment information over the telephone.
4. If you are contacted by phone, ask wether the telemarketer works for the charity itself or for a professional fundraising company. These companies typically keep a substantial percentage of funds donated.
5. Organizations that promise a sweepstakes prize for your donations are generally fraudulent.