Charity can be sweet, but scammers turn it sour. Here’s how to determine if the charity you’re considering giving to is legitimate.

Verify registration and status

• Use official databases:
  
  • IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search – confirms if it’s a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
     https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/
  • Charity Navigator, Candid (formerly GuideStar), and BBB Wise Giving Alliance all provide charity ratings, financial info, and legitimacy details.
• Check with your state charity regulator (in Nebraska, that’s the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office).

Review financial transparency

• Legitimate charities publish:
  
  • Annual reports and Form 990 filings (available via Candid/GuideStar). Note: Most religious charities are not required to file Form 990. For more information: Filing Requirements for churches and religious organizations | Internal Revenue Service
  • Clear details on how donations are spent — e.g., programs vs. administration.
• Be skeptical of groups that can’t show where money goes.

 Watch for solicitation red flags

• Pressure tactics (“Donate now or people will suffer!”).
• Unclear or generic names resembling well-known charities (e.g., “Red Cross Relief Fund” instead of “American Red Cross”).
• Requests for cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers — all red flags.
• Untraceable contact info — no physical address, official website, or verifiable phone number.

Inspect the website and email

• Verify the URL ends in .org (not .com, .net, or misspellings).
• Look for:
  
  • Secure connection (https://)
  • Legitimate contact information
  • No spelling errors or generic images
• Avoid links sent in unsolicited messages or social media DMs.

Research their track record

• Search the charity’s name + “scam,” “complaint,” or “reviews.”
• See if media outlets or watchdogs have investigated them.
• Confirm their mission, leadership, and impact reports are publicly available.

Ask questions directly

A legitimate charity should answer:

• “How is my donation used?”
• “Are you registered with the IRS?”
• “Can I see your financial report or 990 form?”
  If they refuse or get defensive — that’s a warning sign.

If you suspect a scam

• Report it to:
  
  • FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
  • Better Business Bureau (BBB): bbb.org/scamtracker
  • Attorney General’s Office