[FAQ]

Hi,

I want to ask for some advice. After the recent typhoon, I’ve been seeing a lot of Facebook Fundraisers being shared for donation drives and to help families. I really want to help and donate, but I have also heard stories about scams, so I am a bit hesitant.

How can I be sure that the fundraiser is legitimate before I send my money? What are the specific things I should check? For example, is it safer if it’s for an official charity like Red Cross PH versus a ‘personal cause’ started by someone I don’t know? I just want to be sure the help goes to the right person. Thanks in advance.

[Jeff Bullas]

It’s incredibly important to be cautious and ask these questions before you donate.

The Safest Rule: The safest fundraisers are those for registered nonprofit organisations, as the money goes directly to the charity. You should be extremely cautious with ‘personal cause’ fundraisers created by individuals you don’t know.

You can determine the legitimacy of a fundraiser by carefully analysing the text and image content it presents for clues.

When you see a fundraiser, the first thing to check is if it’s for a registered nonprofit or a personal cause. A verified nonprofit fundraiser is the most secure option as Facebook has vetted the organisation. For personal fundraisers, you need to scrutinise the content. Read the text of the description; is it specific with names and a clear goal, or is it vague and emotionally manipulative? Look at the image and video content; do the photos look genuine or like generic stock images? The safest advice for personal fundraisers is to only donate to people you personally know and trust. If you don’t know the organiser, it is better to find a registered local charity working on the same cause and donate to them instead.

Cheers,

Jeff

[Author]

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