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Never send money or give personal information, credit card details or online account details to anyone you don’t know or trust.Legitimate charities are registered – you check an organisation’s credentials on the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) website to see if they are a genuine charity.Check the website address to make sure it’s the same as what you searched for. Check the organisation's name and look them up.Approach charity organisations directly to make a donation or offer support.Or, they give you a receipt that does not have the charity’s details on it. Or, they want the cheque to be made out to them rather than to the charity. You are asked to provide a cash donation as they don't accept cheques.You are put under pressure or made to feel guilty or selfish if you don’t want to donate.Remember, even if they do have identification, it could be forged or meaningless. The person collecting donations on behalf of the charity does not have any identification.A fake website may look almost identical to a legitimate charity site, changing only the details of where to send donations. You've never heard of the charity before, or it is well-known but you suspect the website, email or letter may be fake.Some scammers will call or email you requesting a donation. Scammers may also set up fake websites which look similar to those operated by real charities. You may be approached on the street or at your front door by people collecting money. Scammers may also play on your emotions by claiming to help children who are ill.įake charities operate in a number of different ways. They may also pose as individuals needing donations for health or other reasons. This can include charities that conduct medical research or support disease sufferers and their families. Scammers will pose as either agents of legitimate well-known charities or create their own charity name. Not only do these scams cost you money, they also divert much needed donations away from legitimate charities and causes.įake charity approaches occur all year round and often take the form of a response to real disasters or emergencies, such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes and bushfires. Scammers will steal your money by posing as a genuine charity. About Scamwatch Expand submenu for "About Scamwatch"įake charities try to take advantage of your generosity and compassion for others in need.News & alerts Expand submenu for "News & alerts".Scam statistics Expand submenu for "Scam statistics".Attempts to gain your personal information.Types of scams Expand submenu for "Types of scams".
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