When tragedy strikes, there is often a feeling of helplessness and a strong desire to do what you can to support. Many people turn to online fundraisers to help, but it’s not always easy to know if the money will end up in the right hands.
6 tips to support online fundraisers safely
Think back to the last time you donated to an online fundraiser, like a GoFundMe or similar host website. How much research did you actually do to find out the legitimacy of the cause or the person collecting the funds? Check out these tips to help you make an informed decision the next time you’re solicited for a donation:
- If it’s a charity, make sure it’s registered. Take time to research the fundraising initiative and try to avoid making emotional giving decisions. Donate to known, credible fundraising charities. You can research whether a charity is actively registered via the CRA website (note that the CRA doesn’t have a list of non-registered charities — organizations established to benefit a particular individual or private group are considered to be established for private benevolence and do not qualify for registration).
- Use verified lists of online fundraisers on sites like GoFundMe.
- These fundraisers are verified by the Trust & Safety team for the online platform. As new fundraisers are verified, they are added to the list.
- When you donate to a verified fundraiser, you are guaranteed your money is going to the right person, or they will give you your money back.
- Look for red flags it’s a scam. Remember that people impacted by a disaster, accident or illness are rarely in a position to personally solicit donations – be cautious if you’re contacted by someone claiming to be the victim. Look for copycat names that might mislead or deceive you into thinking that you’re donating to a different cause, and watch for fundraising goals that seem too ambitious.
- Know who you’re donating to (and for what): The fundraiser should explain what the funds will be used for so make sure to look for those details. If the fundraiser is being organized by someone on behalf of someone else, see how the organizer is related to the person you’re donating to. If you have questions about the fundraiser, use the contact button next to the organizer’s name to reach out for more information.
- Be cautious about giving out personal information. Don’t give out your personal or financial information unless you are sure the cause is reputable and hosted securely through a legitimate site.
- Know where to go for help. If you feel like you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. You can also report suspicious fundraisers to the host platform.
Where to go for help
We are not responsible for dealing with concerns about fundraising fraud, but there are other resources that can help. If you think you or someone you know donated to a fraudulent fundraiser, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or your local police department. You can also report it to the host platform in many cases.
This information is purely for educational purposes. To learn which topics we can assist you with directly, please explore our Consumer Help page.
About Consumer Protection BC
We are not-for-profit regulator responsible for overseeing certain industries and specific consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will try to offer a referral to a relevant organization, if one exists. Other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca