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⛪ Faith & Community Tech Guide

Charity Scams vs. Real Causes

Published August 2026 · Last verified August 2026

Real Cause vs. Likely ScamGenerous people get targeted - here's the tell.A real charityA registered nonprofitYou can verify itTakes card or checkA likely scamRushes and pressures youSpoofed or look-alike nameWants gift cards or wireIf they demand a gift card or wire, it's a scam. Every time.Illustration - a schematic; details vary.
The tells that separate real from fake.
Before You GiveSixty seconds of checking protects your gift.Look it up on a free charity checkerConfirm it's a registered nonprofitType the web address yourselfNever pay by gift card or wireA minute of checking sends your money where you meant it to go.Illustration - a schematic; details vary.
The one-minute check before you give.

A generous heart is a beautiful thing - and, sad to say, exactly what a scammer hunts for. After every hurricane, wildfire, or sad story in the news, fake charities spring up like weeds to catch good people in a soft moment. The wonderful news is that a few simple habits let you keep giving freely while shutting the crooks out cold. This little book shows you how to check before you give. No jargon. No judgment. No rushing.

Bill Davis
Bill's Home Tech · Atwater, Ohio
Want the full deep-dive?
The Charity Scams vs. Real Causes Guide
PDF · plain English · no ads · made by Bill
Cost
Free — no purchase needed
Time
About 20–30 minutes
Difficulty
Beginner-friendly · one step at a time
Bill's hotline
(330) 200-8042

A generous heart is a beautiful thing - and, sad to say, exactly what a scammer hunts for. After every hurricane, wildfire, or sad story in the news, fake charities spring up like weeds to catch good people in a soft moment. The wonderful news is that a few simple habits let you keep giving freely while shutting the crooks out cold. This little book shows you how to check before you give. No jargon. No judgment. No rushing.

What's inside this guide

The printable PDF walks through 18 short chapters, in plain language. It also includes an everyday cheat sheet and at-a-glance pictures.

  1. Why Scammers Target Generous People
  2. The Warning Signs Of A Fake
  3. The Payment Methods That Always Mean Scam
  4. Free Websites That Check Any Charity
  5. Confirming It Is A Registered Nonprofit
  6. Type The Address Yourself
  7. Scams That Follow A Disaster
  8. The Charity Phone Call
  9. Emails And Texts Asking You To Give
  10. GoFundMe And Personal Fundraisers
  11. Fake Causes On Facebook And Social Media
  12. Look-Alike Names And Spoofed Numbers
  13. Veterans, Police, And Firefighter Appeals
  14. How To Give Wisely And Well
  15. Recurring Gifts And Where Your Money Goes
  16. If You Already Gave To A Fake
  17. Protecting Your Personal Information
  18. Staying Sharp, Season After Season

Get the printable guide

Everything above is a quick summary. The full, printable guide — the same words, laid out to read and keep by the computer — is a free PDF.

Download the printable PDF →

Last verified August 2026. Information accurate as of October 18, 2026.

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Any prices or outside products mentioned in this guide can change over time — the details here were last checked August 2026 and this page is accurate as of October 18, 2026; please confirm current pricing before you buy. See how often we review our guides →